UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.- Earlier this month, along with other seniors, Lauren Bridgens and Kourtney Chinnery, senior gymnast Alissa Bonsall announced her decision to stay in Happy Valley for a fifth year to earn a Master's in Management and Organizational Leadership, and to compete for one more season as a Penn State gymnast.
Bonsall, who has been fortunate enough to compete in every single meet since her freshman year, has had a tremendous impact on the team as a student-athlete, leader, and role model for others.
Competing in the all-around for the past four years, Bonsall has collected nine career event wins for the Nittany Lions, six in uneven bars, two in vault, and one on floor.
Even after leaving her mark in what could be her final season this year, earning Second Team All-Big Ten honors and tying her career high on floor, as well as earning wins throughout the season on floor and uneven bars, Bonsall still decided she wasn't finished yet.
"When I heard winter sports were receiving an extra year of eligibility (due to the COVID-19 pandemic), I couldn't not take that opportunity," she said. "I feel like there's not many times in your life that you are granted with an opportunity like this, so I couldn't resist."
Bonsall's reasoning for return reflects her dedication and love for the sport of gymnastics and the family she has found throughout her experience with Penn State as her tenacious winning mentality has driven her to push herself and decide to come back for yet another season.
And, while her decision was based on her drive to win and succeed both as a team and an individual gymnast, the academic opportunity could not be overlooked.
Bonsall began her application for the MLL program in November, which she had already expressed interest in prior to finding out she was granted another year of eligibility. She already had an idea of what this graduate program entailed, and once granted the opportunity to come back, she researched more and realized how much this would benefit her academically as well as athletically.
With a goal of applying to nursing school post-graduation, she is anticipating that this graduate program will help her build better business leadership communication skills as well as building the gap between her science background and the business world.
"I love learning," she said on the graduate program. "I'll do work all day if I need to because if I can apply my knowledge in a way where I can help someone else and expand on what I know I think that will help a lot."
Though there is excitement in the year ahead, the 2021 season is not over yet.
As the regular season has come to a close and the Nittany Lions transition into the postseason competition, Bonsall is already beginning to set goals for both herself and the team for the remainder of the postseason in addition to next year.
"I want to win as a team and I want to win as an individual," said Bonsall. "One of my goals was for the team to show up to the meet and perform the way we practiced with confidence knowing we are going to hit our routine and know that we do deserve to win because we put in the work."
She lives by one of head coach Sarah Brown's sayings, "When the stars align great things are going to happen." A saying that she feels foreshadows the potential the team has for next season and even the remainder of this season.
"In my mind there's three meets left," said Bonsall on her goals for the remainder of the season. "We're going all the way to nationals. I just want the team to believe in themselves and know we can hit our last few meets and make it as far as we can."
This confidence and attitude has grown over time for the senior. Coming in freshman year, Bonsall admits she was very timid and shaky on a lot of things. Since this time, she has grown tremendously and feels a welcomed sense of belonging being in Happy Valley. She now is able to take what she has learned and set examples for the underclassmen, something her coach appreciates.
"Her gymnastics has gotten stronger and more accurate with hitting certain things she used to struggle with," said Brown. "Her confidence has grown through the roof and she continues to prove it through each meet."
"I've grown a lot in terms of my confidence and mindset going into competitions," Bonsall adds. "This year I've been having so much fun, and with this looseness I know I can push myself to be even better as shown through my gymnastics."
Bonsall, stepping up as a role model for the underclassmen, radiates positive energy every time she walks through the doors at practice. Whether it be encouraging underclassmen to speak up if they feel there's something that needs to be addressed or changed, or even just reaching out to someone who has had a rough day, she serves as a positive influence and outstanding teammate towards the rest of the team.
"By far and large Alissa's biggest contribution to the team is her positive energy," said Brown. "She is a great student. She's committed and she sets a great example for her teammates. Having her back for another season benefits the team in so many ways that I can't even begin to describe."
With this, Brown along with the rest of the Penn State women's gymnastics family is beyond thrilled upon the news of Bonsall's return, and are excited to see what she will accomplish with another season.
"This team is my world," Bonsall said to conclude. "I want to be a part of it as long as I can, so I'm coming back!"