Gymcats Rock Old Main, Meet Their Coach Tabitha Yim and The Seniors

Here’s a few facts to know about Danielle Buchanan:

• Redshirt senior, graduates in May 2016
• Started gymnastics at age 7
• THIRD GENERATION WILDCAT (both her parents and grandparents are alumni!!)
• Strongest event (and favorite) is vault
• Pre-meet ritual: Always wears her lucky Spiderman socks the day before every meet.

I still can’t get over the fact that Danielle is a third generation Wildcat. That is quite a legacy right there!

Who’s your inspiration?

My inspiration has always been Chellsie Memmel because she is the human definition of resilience. She was hindered by so many injuries in her career, some with awful timing, but she always bounced back and didn’t lose sight of her goals. That’s what gymnastics is all about for me, the ability to keep pushing even when things get tough.

Any favorite memories/moments so far in your college career? What is it that you love about the sport?

Every day with my teammates is my favorite memory. Competition is so much fun, but what I love most about collegiate gymnastics is the family that is born. We laugh together and we cry together and these girls will be my family for the rest of my life.

What are your goals heading into the new year? Anything different you want to do from last year? Any other thoughts about what you are looking forward to?

Being my last season as a GymCat, I am looking forward to enjoying every moment of this season and really just taking it all in. As a team we want to keep improving each meet so we peak when it’s important. As an individual I want to set a great example for my teammates and be someone they can look up to and come to for motivation or anything else they need.

Any difficulties/obstacles that you had to overcome in order to continue with the sport?

The last two seasons I have been unable to compete due to knee injuries. It has been a pretty tough two years for me, but that’s what gymnastics is all about, fighting through the hard times so you can make it to the good times. I am as motivated as ever and cannot wait to get back on the floor this season!

What’s your outlook on the upcoming season?

My outlook on the upcoming season is to trust the process and to enjoy the outcome. Our team is so fired up and dedicated I think we just need to trust all the work we have been putting in at practice and be confident and have fun when it comes time to deliver.

Who out of the four of you is the funniest? Quietest? Most serious? Best dancer?

Out of the four of us I’m clearly the funniest… I make myself laugh all the time! Haha. I would say that Shelby is the quietest until you get to know her, Jessie is the most serious, and Lexi is the best dancer!
Up next, read about Jessie’s time as a GymCat!

Next: Jessie Sisler puts everything she's got into this year