Athlete of the Week

JULIA TIERNAN/YH

Shoshanna Engel Gymnastics Hometown: Louisville, KY. Birthday: Oct. 4, 1980 Major: Undecided Favorite sports to watch: Live soccer, football on television Best Yale sports moment: Beating Penn on Fri., Jan. 29. Engel set a new Yale record at the meet with a 9.85 on the floor exercise. Hobbies: Watching sports, traveling, hanging out

Engel herself is no stranger to cultural diversity or talent, having been selected as one of only five gymnasts to represent the U.S. in the Pan-American Maccabi games in Mexico City, Mexico, this past summer. "The Maccabi games are an Olympic-format competition for Jewish athletes," Engel explained. "We competed against Mexico and Argentina. Basically it's just like two weeks of fun." In between meeting some of the world's most talented young athletes and soaking up the sights and sounds of Mexico, Engel showed the world her dynamic skill. A Le-vel 10 gymnast—the highest ranking below Olympic-level elites—Engel won gold medals in bars, beam, floor, and all-around, and led her team to first place in the overall gymnastics competition.

While personal success can become the top priority for many athletes, Engel is unwavering in her commitment to her team, whether it's at the Maccabi games or in the Ivy League. "During high school, my club team was really small," she said. "In Kentucky they don't even have varsity gymnastics. Here I actually have a team, and it's amazing. I came to Yale wanting to help the team in any way I can." If the team's most recent performance is any indication, Engel's capabilities and dedication are making quite a difference. At the Bulldogs' last meet against Pennsylvania on Sat., Jan. 29, Engel was awarded a 9.85 in the floor exercise, setting a new Yale record. Engel's recent success on the floor is one of many testaments to her all-around gymnastic prowess—the floor exercise isn't even her specialty. "Beam is my favorite and is supposedly my best event," Engel said. "But this season, I've had much better luck with floor."

But luck has very little to do with Engel's success. Eli gymnasts devote three to three-and-a-half hours per day practicing their four competitive events—bars, beam, floor, and vault—and incorporate a great deal of stretching, strength conditioning, and repetition into their workouts. These workouts have not only helped Engel break records and helped her team win meets, but they've also been a life lesson. "Gymnastics teaches you how to prioritize your life," Engel said. "Somehow you manage to get everything done." With five gold medals and a brand new floor record under her belt, there is no question that Engel is getting it all done.

Photo by Julia Tiernan.

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