Feb. 5, 2008
A Q&A with women's gymnast Lindsay Borkan, a senior from Long Grove, Ill.
What is your favorite thing about being a Penn State student?
Embracing the opportunity I'm given to learn new things and expand my knowledge in a great environment.
What is your favorite thing about being a Penn State student-athlete?
Given the opportunity to succeed and see how far I can push myself as a student and as an athlete at the same time with people who are only here to help and see me succeed and reach my goals.
Why Penn State?
The family atmosphere is amazing and welcoming and just feels 'right' to those true PENN STATERS!
What is/has been your favorite class at Penn State and why?
All of my CAS classes have been so interesting and I absolutely LOVED learning the information because I was able to apply it and actually see it play out in my real life! - cas404, 470,202, 452....
What is your favorite place on campus and why?
I used to love going to the HUB to do homework and people watch! It was a great place to meet in the middle of campus to just grab a coffee or something.
When I am not at class or practice, I am ...
Watching tv or on AOL!!! Usually playing with Monty and the rest of the girls!
What have you found to be the biggest differences between Junior Olympic and college competition?
College competition is more fun! There's a team aspect for college - you want to do well not only for your team, your coaches, fans, but the whole university in general - and when you compete club it's just for you! It's never fun cheering for yourself or being happy for yourself = it's WAY more satisfying when an accomplishment has been made by a team so the entire team can celebrate together!
Since coming to Penn State, what has been the biggest thing you have learned, in the gym?
I had to learn how to push myself in gymnastics! I had to learn as a freshman how to handle the amount of gymnastics we do! As I continued to get hurt I had to re-learn gymnastics and have a completely new appreciation for truly how difficult the sport really is! It always came easy for me until all my injuries!
Since coming to Penn State, what has been the biggest thing you have learned, out of the gym?
Learning how to live in a dorm with dirty bathrooms and not my big bed and nice comfortable house!!!! My eyes were opened coming to college and a big change in the way I live!!
What has been the hardest part of practice and why?
I don't think there is one hardest part - just practices in general are hard and helps you push yourself - which in the end is always a good thing!
At what age did you begin participating in gymnastics, and why/how did you get into it?
I was about 3 or so and my mom put me in the sport because I couldn't sit still and kept running around like an animal!
To someone who doesn't know gymnastics and is seeing a meet for the first time, how would you describe your sport?
Honestly - it's too difficult to describe - or it's just TOO GREAT for words! You have to see it to get the full experience of just how difficult and complex and amazing gymnastics is!
How would you describe the personality of the team this year?
We are a great group of girls who love and care about each other and who not only have fun in the gym together but also outside of gym! We love hanging out and are true friends!
What is your favorite event and why?
It was floor because I loved to tumble until i tore my Achilles, was bars because I loved swinging and it was easy for me until my shoulder surgery, I love all the events if I was physically able to do them!
Who is the craziest person on the team and why?
Alex because she's just so outgoing and funny!!! Love her!
What is the best advice you have ever gotten, and from whom did you receive it?
My daddio always gives me the best advice in life - too many to say here - but he is a man I look up to and wouldn't be here as strong as I am without him!
What is your favorite sport (other than gymnastics) to watch at Penn State and why?
I love watching baseball. I know many people find it boring but I love playing it and my family grew up playing it too!
If you could go anywhere in the world on a vacation, where would you go and why?
well I'm actually going backpacking through Europe for a month with my best friend right after graduation - we're going to London, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Paris, the French Riviera, Venice, Florence, and Rome!
What are your hidden talents?
I have no one hidden talent - I have many!!!!!
Finish this sentence: "We Are Penn State. We Are ..."
AS ONE!!!!!!!!!!
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