By Tucker Paquette
@tpaquette17
For lots of athletes, a significant change can disrupt their rhythm and level of performance. In the case of graduate student gymnast Sophia LeBlanc, who’s in her first year at Springfield after four years at the University of Maryland, one might think the drastic change in location would throw her off.
Well, think again.
LeBlanc has found ample success in her first season on Alden Street. She has consistently posted strong scores, culminating in a showing in an individual bars routine during this past Sunday’s dual meet with Cortland that scored a 9.800, tying the program record.
In LeBlanc’s eyes, lots of the Pride’s success can be attributed to the team’s work ethic and emphasis on training.
“We practiced really hard in the preseason and I think just being with [my teammates] has helped,” LeBlanc said. “[Also], I have a lot of routines under my belt. We [have] a great coaching staff and teammates. And I think that has helped with some of the success I’ve had this year.”
Coming into Springfield, LeBlanc sported a selfless mentality, aiming to help the entire program succeed. However, her entrance into the school’s record books Sunday provided LeBlanc with a nice boost of confidence.
“It was my goal to help the program succeed and do everything I can for the program,” LeBlanc said. “I think going forward, [it’s] a nice confidence builder.”
LeBlanc is confident and prepared during meets, and the same can be said for the manner in which she navigated her future after graduating from Maryland last spring.
She was aware of the remaining eligibility she had, and she wanted to end up at a college that was a good fit for what she wanted to do, both in the gym and when it came to her professional future.
“I really wanted to do something in the sports psychology and clinical mental health realms,” LeBlanc said. “There weren’t many schools that had both, and Springfield was one of the few schools that have both for a grad program.”
It didn’t take much searching after that point for LeBlanc to know she had her next home all picked out.
“I knew I was going to come here no matter what,” LeBlanc said.
Gymnastics-wise, LeBlanc tore her achilles in her junior year at Maryland, and wasn’t able to return to full health last season. This left LeBlanc determined to continue competing as she looked to return to peak form.
“I wanted to end on a better note,” LeBlanc said.
On top of her interest in Springfield’s academic and gymnastics programs, LeBlanc was swayed by the positivity she felt from conversations with people on campus.
“Everyone I talked to from Springfield was very welcoming and I loved the professors I spoke with,” LeBlanc said. “I think that just made the decision very easy.”
As LeBlanc started at Springfield, the gap in size between her new and old school took a little bit of getting used to. But the people she’s met, through gymnastics and academics, has made acclimating easier.
“[Springfield is] definitely a much smaller school, so that was something new for me,” LeBlanc said. “But I love the connections and how close you get with everyone. I think getting used to a different school and different program [was an adjustment], but now that I’m in it, I love it.”
Photo courtesy: Springfield College Athletics