2020 Gumbo Final - Book - Page 71
sometimes we’re hard and we push and are
demanding. Ruby is the one behind them going ‘You
got this. Come on, move forward. This is what we do
and how we do it.’ She’s been extremely nurturing to a
really talented freshman class.”
Freshman all-around gymnast Kiya Johnson
emphasized that Harrold’s constant advice and
guidance helps LSU’s large freshman class with the
transition from JO to NCAA gymnastics.
Despite high praise from her teammates and coaches,
Harrold downplays her importance to the freshmen’s
development, while still doing all she can to help them
along the way.
She knows how difficult it was coming in as a
freshman and trying to figure out how everything that
encompasses college gymnastics on her own. She
wants to prepare this group for what to expect and how
to adapt smoothly.
“This isn’t something you can teach,” Harrold said. “It
was difficult for me freshman year because I came
into this big bubble that I really had no idea about. My
seniors were great, but I felt like I lacked being told
things that I really didn’t know I needed to know.
“Just to make sure that they know what they’re doing
and that if you make a mistake it’s fine. It’s not the end
of the world, it’s only gymnastics. I feel like making sure
that they know that it’s going to be OK and we’re going
to figure it out and we’re here as a team and it’s not an
individual thing anymore is cool. Just teaching them that
through this whole thing.”
This whole thing will come to an end for Harrold in April.
She has been doing gymnastics for her entire life. It’s
been her entire life, from two Olympic Games to four
years at LSU and everything in between.
And come graduation in May 2020, she will hang up her
leotard and “just do Ruby.”
“It’s maxed my expectations,” Harrold said. “I knew
this whole thing was fun, but I didn’t know how fun.
And I still get to do what I grew up with, but I also get
to prioritize my academics and get a degree out of
it. I couldn’t get more happy for that to (LSU) to care
afterwards as well, not just what you’re doing for these
four years.
“I wouldn’t change it for the world. I wouldn’t have
wanted to go anywhere else. It’s been rocky, and it’s
been bumpy, but that’s a part of the journey. You don’t
grow if you don’t go through stuff like that.”
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