Morgan Borkovec is a senior at Naz who has participated in gymnastics all four years of her high school career and was the “One Woman Gymnastics Team” for her freshman and sophomore year. She is eighteen years old, she went to Heritage Middle School in Berwyn and has been dedicated to gymnastics since she was in fourth grade. Although her presence at Nazareth is well known, what is not so prevalent in the minds of her fellow school-mates is her experience with gymnastics and how hard she has pushed herself become the gymnast and person she has striven to be. Without further adieu, this is an insider interview with Morgan Borkovec.
There will always be “ups” and “downs” to any activity, so we asked Borkovec to list her
favorite and least favorite part of gymnastics.
“That’s a tough question…Well, when it comes to my favorite event, it would have to be floor. I guess I just love the fact that my routines are unique from everyone else’s. It’s amazing to be able to fly through the air and push myself to the absolute limits. My least favorite? Rips. You get them from bars; just imagine a callous the size of a quarter being ripped off your skin with one swing. Not fun. But it’s kind of like a gymnastics badge of honor!”
Since Nazareth does not have gymnastics equipment or a team, Borkovec went to Riverside Brookfield High school during the season to train with the RB team in their gymnastics gym. Borkovec reflected on that experience.
“My experience over the past four years has been interesting to say the least. It’s been really hard, but it was fun working with the RB gymnastics team because I grew up with some of those girls and they made me feel a part of their team. Being our “one-woman gymnastics team” was difficult, having a team is half of what makes a sport so fun, even if it’s an individual sport. Not having a coach, a team, or very much time to practice, I had to push myself a lot harder than most to keep working and not give up. It was cool that last year and this year two other girls decided to do the same thing, but it didn’t change much. I never worked out with them—we only saw each other at meets. They are both really good though; it would have been so great to have an actual team with them.”
Since Borkovec has been doing gymnastics for eight years, we asked her to say a few words about her “adventure” throughout the years.
“Well I don’t know how much of an adventure it was, I think I’d call it more of a battle. I loved being able to continue doing what I love to do, and although I got close a few times, I never gave up. I’m proud to be able to say that I was able to overcome everything and not let it hold me back from the sport I have been so passionate about.
Borkovec’s last meet as a high school gymnast was her Regional meet at LT high school. We asked her how she felt on the day of the meet and about her thoughts throughout the competition.
“It was a mixture of emotions. I was excited, hopeful, focused, and a bit sad. I knew it would probably be the last time I ever touch any gymnastics equipment, at least in a serious way. But like I said, it was a long, hard battle and my body and mind have taken quite a beating; I knew I was ready to be done. During the competition, I was surprisingly calm, and just excited and happy to be out there. Afterwards, I was mostly just proud of myself, because I had done the best I could, especially on floor. Well, the regional I competed in was a pretty tough one, and all four years I think I held my ground fairly well. I was also relieved that it was all over, but kind of sad too. It was nothing I wasn’t expecting though.
To clear up some of the mystery about gymnastics, Borkovec graciously answered some of the questions people most frequently ask her.
“I guess to answer some of the questions people ask me most often: Yes, doing the splits hurts until you get the hang of them. Looks can be deceiving, some falls don’t hurt as much as they look like they do, and others hurt a lot more than you might think. Leotards are for the most part comfy, although nobody knows a wedgie like a gymnast does. “Wait, you’re a gymnast? Can you do a back-flip?” “Yeah.” “Can you do one right now?” No, I will not randomly do a back-flip, I have to be in a special mood to show anyone anything…I just feel weird “showing off”. Finally, yes. I am well aware that I’m “jacked.” No, I will not flex for you, and no, I probably would not win in a fight with that girl.
As a senior going off to college, we asked Borkovec to give some advice to future gymnasts.
“For gymnasts at Naz or coming to Naz, I would just say keep fighting for a team. I really think it could happen and I would love to see that become a reality. Other than that, I don’t think I can say much else, my situation was pretty unique. Most other girls come from a club, so they still have their teams and coaches to workout with. Just don’t give up and don’t ever slack off, you’ll regret it. It always sucks to know you didn’t achieve your full potential and always wondering what you could have done.”
Will Borkovec continue gymnastics in college?
“No, much to the dismay of everyone around me I am not doing gymnastics in college. My body can’t handle much more, I’m already pretty sure I’m wheelchair bound. Plus I want to get out there and do other things, and maybe ditch some of my “jacked” muscles…”
Finally, we asked Borkovec to comment on how gymnastics has impacted her life.
“I can’t tell you how many college and scholarship essays I’ve written about how gymnastics has impacted my life. To keep it short and sweet, it has made me a stronger person mentally, and taught me to never give up on the things that I love. It has instilled in me a sense of passion and perseverance, and the knowledge that I can always find a way to overcome an obstacle or find a new way of achieving my goals.”
The Nazareth family is extremely proud of Morgan Borkovec for helping keep gymnastics alive at Naz and wishes her good luck and as much success in all of her future endeavors that she has experienced with gymnastics.
