By: Lance Losh @LanceLosh
Boone High’s most talented athlete is a gymnast and you probably never knew it. Junior Erin Castle has devoted her life to gymnastics and it has paid off. She started at the age of three because she had a lot of energy. As the years went by, her love and passion for the sport grew. At the age of seven, she started competing around the state and by the age of eleven, the young phenom was competing at the national level. Castle tried other sports such as softball as a young girl, but nothing sparked her competitive edge like gymnastics.
She specializes in the Uneven Bars and the Floor Exercise. Bars have always been a challenge for her, but she says it is very rewarding when she succeeds because of her hard work. Castle says she loves to compete in the Floor Exercise for one reason.
“Floor is fun to compete because the floor routine gives me a chance to display my personality,” said Castle.
She trained in Ames up until her freshman year, but she then switched over to Triad Gymnastics in Ankeny to improve her chance of receiving a scholarship. Castle trains for four and a half hours per day, six days a week. Training is all year around, but her competition season is from January to May. Erin is currently preparing for the 2016 season which kicks off January 9th in Minnesota.
At the beginning of Castle’s sophomore year, her coach recommended she start contacting colleges. Knowing some girls commit to colleges after their 8th grade year, she knew it was time to start the search. Growing up as a Cyclone fan, Castle never expected to be interested in becoming a Hawkeye. Iowa’s coach showed genuine interest in her, so she decided to visit the campus.
“The coaches were very nice and the environment was very positive,” she said.
Castle kept in contact with the coaching staff, and in the spring of her sophomore year, Iowa offered her a scholarship. It was a big decision and three weeks later she decided to verbally commit to the University of Iowa. Gymnastics has taught Castle a lot about life and a lot about herself. Next November, she will sign her National Letter of Intent to compete for the University of Iowa gymnastics team. 2017 should be full of new experiences for Erin Castle.
She specializes in the Uneven Bars and the Floor Exercise. Bars have always been a challenge for her, but she says it is very rewarding when she succeeds because of her hard work. Castle says she loves to compete in the Floor Exercise for one reason.
“Floor is fun to compete because the floor routine gives me a chance to display my personality,” said Castle.
She trained in Ames up until her freshman year, but she then switched over to Triad Gymnastics in Ankeny to improve her chance of receiving a scholarship. Castle trains for four and a half hours per day, six days a week. Training is all year around, but her competition season is from January to May. Erin is currently preparing for the 2016 season which kicks off January 9th in Minnesota.
At the beginning of Castle’s sophomore year, her coach recommended she start contacting colleges. Knowing some girls commit to colleges after their 8th grade year, she knew it was time to start the search. Growing up as a Cyclone fan, Castle never expected to be interested in becoming a Hawkeye. Iowa’s coach showed genuine interest in her, so she decided to visit the campus.
“The coaches were very nice and the environment was very positive,” she said.
Castle kept in contact with the coaching staff, and in the spring of her sophomore year, Iowa offered her a scholarship. It was a big decision and three weeks later she decided to verbally commit to the University of Iowa. Gymnastics has taught Castle a lot about life and a lot about herself. Next November, she will sign her National Letter of Intent to compete for the University of Iowa gymnastics team. 2017 should be full of new experiences for Erin Castle.
RSS Feed