Terrapins gymnastics coach Brett Nelligan said it’s not unusual for freshmen to go through some growing pains in their transition from high school to college.
The crowds are bigger and the schedule is tougher. Whereas club gymnastics might have six meets over a span of four to five months, Nelligan said, the Terps compete in 12 meets from January to March before preparing for the NCAA First Round on April 2.
The process has been even more difficult for freshmen Macey Roberts and Megan McClelland, who both underwent surgery their senior year of high school but have overcome their hardships to make an immediate impact for the Terps. Both newcomers have been part of a floor lineup that has made the event the team’s best this season.
“Being injured is one of the worst feelings; you want to be out there so bad,” said senior Kathy Tang, who went through ankle surgery after her freshman season. “They have worked so hard for their spots in lineups and I’m really proud of them.”
Roberts dealt with increasingly severe hip pain before her senior season, so doctors ordered MRIs. They didn’t find anything, yet they still elected to do an exploratory surgery in January 2015.
When Roberts woke up from the surgery, doctors revealed they had discovered, and repaired, a significant labrum tear in her hip. Her season was over.
“It was a shock,” Roberts said.
McClelland, meanwhile, competed through pain that continued to worsen during her senior campaign. Shortly after the season, she discovered she too had a torn labrum — for her it was in her shoulder — and went through an operation of her own.
Neither gymnast was fully cleared to participate in team training when they arrived at College Park in the fall, though Roberts began to compete shortly after.
McClelland was still a few months behind her teammate due to the timing of their surgeries.
“I tried to keep a positive attitude; it was kind of tough at first,” McClelland said. “I couldn’t do much of anything in the gym.”
But both gymnasts were determined to make their mark with the Terps when they were at full strength. They returned before the Terps’ season-opening meet, and they’ve contributed ever since.
“Sitting out my senior year showed me how boring it is being there watching,” Roberts said. “So getting back out there [this season], it was just like a whole new ball game.”
Roberts earned a 9.9 on floor Jan. 31 against Iowa, a mark that has only been matched once in any event this year. The McDonald, Tennessee, native also performs on vault, where she’s hit her routine in every meet and has a season high of 9.825.
In addition to floor, McClelland also contributes on beam and bars, where she has had just one fall this season. Her best score is a 9.85 on bars, which came in her first career meet.
“A lot of athletes are stubborn,” Tang said. “They don’t want to do rehab, they just want to do their sport. But I always saw [Roberts and McClelland] doing the right things.”
The pair of freshmen said they relied on the support of their teammates and had trust in the medical staff’s plan while going through the process of regaining their strength.
Roberts admits she probably “came back in a bit faster” than she should have, but for the most part, the duo remained patient.
Team members also said the freshmen’s natural competitiveness and drive has helped them achieve their early success, and Nelligan is excited for what lies ahead.
“They’ve adapted so well so quickly,” Nelligan said. “Seeing that shows me what incredible careers they’re both going to have.”
