Gymwoman Leopoldus’ life a tale of ups and downs

By GWENN MILLER
Collegian Staff Writer

Gymnastics is an important part of Penn State's storied athletic program, which means there has to be some gymnasts with stories worth telling behind the winning records.

Missy Leopoldus is one of those gymnasts.

Leopoldus has made it to the top of the collegiate gymnastics world in her time at Penn State, but her ascension has had its ups and downs.

Leopoldus began her gymnastics career at a YMCA in Greeley, Colo., when she was in kindergarten. Her reasons for joining the sport were nothing out of the ordinary, but the reasons for her continuing with it are.

"When my younger brother was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes, gymnastics was an outlet for me," she said. "All my friends were at the gym and I spent my whole Saturdays there."

But as Leopoldus progressed through the levels of gymnastics, people couldn't help but to pay attention to her.

In 1993 she competed at the World Maccabiah Games in Israel, where she won gold for her beam performance and a silver medal for the floor exercise. That same year she won the all-around competition at the Elite National Championship.

Like any young gymnast, Leopoldus wanted to compete in the Olympics. But her dream was crushed when she fell three times during the floor exercise at a qualifying meet and did not make the Olympic trials for the 1992 games.

"It was my only goal my whole life," she said of the Olympics. Naturally, she was crushed and incredibly disappointed. Leopoldus even considered leaving the sport, but then realized there was a good possibility she could receive a college scholarship for gymnastics.

One of her coaches was Tom Forster, a former Penn State gymnast. He constantly praised the school, and soon Leopoldus was giving it serious consideration.

"Tom was like a second parent to me and I really respected him," said Leopoldus.

The next step for her and the biggest test was to actually travel across the country to visit Penn State.

It was love at first sight for the Colorado native.

"I committed the first day I was here," she said. "I knew as soon as I walked on campus. I loved the girls on the team and Penn State is beautiful. It couldn't have been a more perfect trip for me."

Fortunately for Leopoldus, the admiration was mutual.

Penn State coach Steve Shephard felt the recruiting situation was nearly perfect.

"She was an elite-level kid with a desire to come here," he said.

And being unselfish is what has made Leopoldus such a valuable part of her team as well as Penn State's rich athletic tradition.