Wilson makes mission of becoming top gymnast possible

During her floor exercise routine, Lady Lion freshman Ashley Wilson performed to the modern version of the opening theme of Mission: Impossible. In only her second month as a Lady Lion, Wilson has shown her mission of being an integral contributor to the team is indeed possible.

She opened Saturday night for the Penn State women's gymnastics team on vault and registered a 9.45, setting the tone for what was to come for the Gainesville, Ga., native. At the end of the meet against Utah, Wilson received the Ann Carr Award, given to the Penn State gymnast who provides the most inspirational performance at each home meet.

Wilson said she was happy to hit all her routines and have a good meet. The time spent in the gym has helped Wilson overcome some of the nervousness she feels before a routine during the competition.

"I learned what it's like to compete in college," she said. "All the numbers in practice have helped me become real confident."

After her show of grace on the mats, Lady Lion coach Steve Shephard could not contain his joy for his young gymnast.

"Ashley is a dream kid to coach. She is the kind of kid that every coach wishes they had 10 of," he said. "Here's a kid who came in as a walk-on and is being relied on every event, is doing the job, never complains, always ready to work and hangs on every word you say to her. She's just a coach's dream."

After the solid routine on vault, Wilson went second on bars. The team converged around her to congratulate her for a great performance after her dismount on the apparatus. Her score of 9.6 was followed by fantastic routines by freshman Nikki Smith and sophomore Janae Whittaker.

Whittaker said Wilson has done a great job not only during Saturday's meet but also during the first half of the season.

"I think Ashley did great. She went out there really aggressive. She hit all four events, and that's what counts," Whittaker said. "I think she's done real well, becoming a more solid competitor and cleaning up her form. She's great in going out there and doing what she does in practice, and I think she can get even better throughout the year."

When the third rotation began on beam, Wilson was again first. She stayed on the apparatus and hit her dismount. She received a 9.575.

On the last event, the floor exercise, Wilson started a succession of dazzling performances before the friendly Rec Hall crowd. During the routine, Shephard raised his arms in encouragement, while Wilson's teammates clapped and yelled words of support. The 9.75 she received was just a sign of things to come, as each Lady Lion gymnast scored no lower than Wilson.

Not only were her teammates and her coaches impressed with her exercise on floor but Wilson herself was also excited the event went so well.

"That was one of the best floor routines I have done," she said. "I was pleased with it."

Senior Nicole Malinak has been impressed with Wilson all season.

"She's just a strong, standout, solid all-around performer for us," she said. "We rely on her, and she's just been incredible. She's been a big surprise coming in as a freshman, and we couldn't get through this without her."

As for her future goals for the rest of the season, Wilson said she wants to keep improving her routines and form. Being consistent on each event is also something she is striving for and, based on her performances during the first two months of the year, the probability of Wilson reaching those goals appear extremely high.