UNIVERSITY PARK Pa. - Due to an achilles tear, accomplished senior gymnast Lauren Bridgens was unable to compete in the 2021 season . Told she'd potentially never be able to compete at the same level again, Bridgens knew her collegiate gymnastics career had been forever changed.
Instead of refining her skills for her fourth season, Bridgens had to battle a through a gritty and uncertain recovery process during the entirety of that 2021 season. Now in 2022, Lauren has come back and not looked back; Recently tying her all-around career high 525, Bridgens held the torch high and paved the way for the Nittany Lions throughout her final season in Happy Valley.
Bridgens' recovery process was no easy task, but the support of her team as well as the trainers supplied her with the trust and support she needed during a stressful time.
"I just really decided I was going to take it one day at a time, that's all I could do," she said. "I didn't want to get too far ahead of myself, also just being surrounded by such an amazing team, coaches, my family, everyone was there for me. If I was having a rough day someone would cheer me up and the little things like that were exactly what I needed. Throughout the recovery process my trainers and everyone really listened to me and trusted me and guided me along through that process."
A true competitor, Bridgens was very grateful to be able to compete again and has made a most of every moment.
"Being able to compete again means everything, last year was one of the hardest years of my life, just sitting out and watching your teammates put in the work every week," Bridgens said. "It's just really hard, but its really humbling, it means too much to me to be out there again finally having a blast."
Despite the injury, Bridgens hasn't changed her goals as she has come back from injury.
"I always want to be the best I can be. The goals obviously are to go to nationals and win; but this year specifically with the fifth year and the injury I really just wanted to come out, be healthy and soak in every moment by having fun," Bridgens said. "That's what I've been trying to do this year. I usually do my best gymnastics when I'm having fun so this year, I'm really trying to do that."
Even after all she's been through, Bridgens holds herself to an unmatched work ethic and standard as a team leader while women's gymnastics moves closer to the postseason. The first step will be at Big Ten Championships on Saturday in Columbus.
"Going into postseason, I'm trying to get a little better each and every week," she said. "I kind of started out the season a little bit more inconsistent than normal but again I'm healthy, I'm happy and I'm having fun so what else can I ask for?"
The senior has found the spark of confidence she's needed for the postseason run.
"To be able to put together a meet like that [against Maryland on Feb. 27] and tie my career high it really was special," she said. "I kind of have this feeling like, 'OK I'm back, I'm actually back!' was a really good feeling."
With the heart and pride of a lioness, Bridgens climbed a mountain she never thought she'd ever have to conquer. But through determination, and the unwavering support of her coaches and teammates, one of Penn State's most accomplished gymnasts has created a statement example of how to come back and succeed on the highest level.
