Leopoldus skips sophomore jinx

A common myth in most sports is if athletes have a spectacular first season, the second will be strewn with troubles and pitfalls. This is commonly known as the sophomore jinx.

In this young season, she set a new Penn State all-around record (39.35) and has taken two second-place finishes in the all-around. Leopoldus said she was excited when she broke the record but knows there is more to be done in the next few months.

"I've been pretty pleased with it," she said. "I'm looking forward to the rest of the season because I know that it can only get better."

In her freshman year, Leopoldus took college gymnastics by storm. In her first meet at Michigan State, she led the team in every event but floor and finished second in the all-around (38.65). In that month, Leopoldus won the Big Ten Gymnast-of-the-Month award and the ECAC Gymnast-of-the-Week award.

But her biggest thrill came later in the season. After the Lady Lions placed a disappointing seventh in the Big Ten tournament, Leopoldus provided the season highlight by winning the Northeast Regional in the all-around (39.125) and beam (9.85) while taking second on vault and bars.

Being accustomed to the pressure of gymnastics is nothing new for Leopoldus. Since she began doing routines when she was 3-years-old, she has traveled across the country as well as to other countries to compete in events.

A member of the Colorado Aerials, she has been to the Elite Nationals five times, taking first in the all-around at the event in 1993. She won the all-around at the Colorado State Championships in 1994 and placed first on beam and second on floor at the 1993 Maccabiah Games in Israel.

When it came time to decide where to go to college, the decision was quite easy for Leopoldus. With her coaches as a youngster being Penn State alumni, she said all she heard about was the University. But it was the team and the area that were the deciding factors.

"I had my mind made up when it came time for recruiting, but I scheduled my five visits and I was looking at a lot of schools and when I came here I really liked the team," she said.

Lady Lion coach Steve Shephard said he knew Leopoldus would be a major contributor for the team her first year.

"We always had high expectations for Missy," he said. "We thought all along that she would be a major impact person."

One thing that was tough for Leopoldus was the transition from club to college gymnastics. She said at the club level the focus is more on the individual, while in college the team is paramount.

"You're relying on your team, and your team is relying on you," Leopoldus said. "It's not just important to you any more so it's actually more fun that way because you have people to back you up, and it's just a lot more fun being in a much more relaxed team atmosphere."

Sophomore Ellen Casey said she has seen a change in Leopoldus over the past season.

"I think as a freshman she did her job gymnastically," she said. "This year she is trying to motivate people in practice and during meets."

Throughout her freshman year, Leopoldus became more aware of the team philosophy while learning how to balance athletics with her school work. After being with her coach, Tom Forster for 10 years, she said another change was adapting to a new coach. Although she said it was a difficult move for her, the transition has worked well.

"I really enjoy it now," Leopoldus said. "Steve and Jessica (Bastardi) are great."

Being such a tight-knit group, reaching out for help and advice is not that hard. Leopoldus said former Lady Lions Bridget Foley and Michelle Manzolillo were great friends last year, but the then freshman did not have much contact with them except in the gym because they lived off campus.

For this reason, Leopoldus and her classmates turned to the sophomores who lived in their dorm.

Over the summer, Leopoldus and Casey stayed in Happy Valley with senior Nicole Malinak. They worked out every now and then. The focus was not only keeping in touch with their skills but also getting rest. Leopoldus also took courses to get some credits out of the way.

"We had a lot of fun with gymnastics," Leopoldus said. "We went out to Woodward camp and played around a lot and had a really good time this summer. We tried to lighten the atmosphere and not make it so serious."

This season her teammates have seen Leopoldus take an increasing leadership role for the Lady Lions. Senior Bea Selz said Leopoldus' maturation has been evident in her gymnastics. In turn, her leadership qualities have followed.

"Everyone on the team shows leadership. With Missy, she basically keeps the morale of the team up," Selz said. "She always has a smile on her face. She makes you believe in yourself."

Being required to live in the dorms as a sophomore, Leopoldus said the sophomore class wants to help the freshmen make a smooth adjustment to college life. She added she wants to increase her leadership position on the team.

"I really wanted to feel like a leader instead of a follower," she said. "I just really wanted to step it up in my enthusiasm level and my attitude."

The three seniors -- Selz, Malinak and Leigh Cappello -- have been a great inspiration to the team, according to Leopoldus. She said they have done more than a sufficient job of providing leadership for the team, and any gymnast can look to them for motivation.

Shephard believes the future is bright for Leopoldus. He thinks she has the ability to become an All-American in the all-around. The main thing, Shephard said, is for Leopoldus to set high goals for herself.

"It's going to take a belief on her part to make that happen," he said.

Leopoldus is optimistic about the rest of the season because the team is getting key contributors back in the lineup. Team unity and last year's Big Ten finish has also motivated the Lady Lions.

"I think we've overcome some major obstacles in the beginning of the season, and we have really pulled together as a team," Leopoldus said. "We're really united, and we've decided we don't want to go into Big Tens like we did last year."

As for the future, Leopoldus said she will continue participating in gymnastics and learning new things. The journey to improve herself in her sport has driven Leopoldus during her youth and continued today.

"As long as I keep improving, I plan to stay in it because I know I'll still be interested in it as long as I keep getting better," she said. "When I quit getting better is when I know it's time for me to be done."