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UIC Lens Vol. 1
UIC Men's Gymnastics Club
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UIC Creative and Digital Services is proud to present the university’s Men's Gymnastics Club as its first UIC Lens. Featuring different aspects of life on campus, this volume focuses on capturing the club’s inspiring meets, energetic practices, and lively portraits of the student gymnasts.
PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT
The Men's Gymnastics Club trains year-round, but competes January through April. Over the summer, they focus on learning new skills and building their strength. In the fall, they prepare their routines for the upcoming competitive season.
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In February of 2020, the club ranked third in the GymAct league! The photo team followed them as they practiced at the C.I.T.Y. Club Gymnastics Academy to prepare for their meet at the Windy City Invitational at the Credit Union 1 Arena.
LEADERSHIP AND FOCUS
The UIC Men’s Gymnastics Club includes 14 gymnasts, with some of the students taking on leadership roles, including James Marden as president, Mike Peluso as vice president, and Sam Forbes as treasurer.
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“Before a meet, I focus on my routines and visualize what I need to do. Whenever I begin to feel overwhelmed, I try to remember times when I was successful in practice and how the skills and motions felt then. This helps me to relax and gain confidence in that routine. In most meets, every score counts, so I have no choice but to give my all for the team.”
- James Marden, biochemistry student and president of the UIC Men’s Gymnastics Club.
TEAM CAMARADERIE
In the last two years, the team has become closer than ever. Together, they went through getting cut from the UIC athletic department and rebuilding themselves as a sports club. Marden says it as “strengthened their bond” and has built trust within their team.
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Sports clubs are important to life on campus because it gives students an opportunity to get involved and pursue their passion. If you’d like to show support, attend a UIC Men’s Gymnastics Club meet or join a club of your own.