Gabby Van Frayen waved to fans after her win on beam against Missouri. (Vicky Graff Photo)
Freshman Gabby Van Frayen will be trying for her third straight win on beam when Kentucky competes at No. 7 Arkansas Friday.
She had a 9.900 on beam to tie for the event title against Auburn and had the same score last week against Missouri to again share the event title.
“Beam has always come naturally to me. Not sure how, but it always did,” the freshman from Ohio said. “It always seemed pretty simple to me. Not saying I don’t get nervous. I don’t think anybody in gymnastics will ever agree with me, but it’s just like my happy place. That’s my favorite event and I have a lot of fun up there and just get to do what I love.”
Van Frayed, a five-star recruit and two-time USA national qualifier in high school, has made an immediate impact on coach Tim Garrison’s team and has had fun doing it.
“I’m extremely grateful for everything that I am competing in. I did elite gymnastics growing up, and that’s a bit of a bigger stage, so I think that prepared me well for college”, Van Frayed said. “The only thing that is a bit of an adjustment is competing for a team. I’ve never had to compete for a team growing up.
“It was always individual and It’s both comforting and scary to be working with a team because you know everyone has your back and is there for you100 percent. But at the same time, you have to do your part. It just puts a little bit more pressure on it.
“I prefer competing for a team way better than individuals. I’m loving college so far for that reason. It’s been a bit of an adjustment, but I’m loving it. I feel like each week we have taken a step forward in the right direction (as a team). I think it is amazing to see the growth that each athlete has had from week one to now but it’s inspiring to see.”
