Jan. 22, 2008

In the first edition of the Illini Weekly Q & A, senior 2007 Big Ten Gymnast of the Year Wes Haagensen talks open the first weeks of the 2008 season, and opens up about his future plans after Illinois.

What's the team atmosphere in the gym like this season?

"We are the same team with much higher expectations. We haven't lost anyone and gained six new freshmen. Our intensity level, right now in the gym, is higher than it has ever been. It feels like NCAAs is next weekend!"

What have the guys been doing in the gym to get ready for this year?

"We're doing full out routines already, where as in previous years we hadn't started this type of quality training until later on. Our coaching staff has pushed and motivated us into this training plan that has been adopted. Our captains have matured as leaders and have begun stressing positive feedback throughout all workouts."

Talk about this senior classes desire to bring home an NCAA title after coming so close in years prior.

"Nobody on any college team has come so close to winning and achieving success and then left with such disappointment in the end, three years in a row. In 2005, winning day one at NCAAs with the highest scores and then falling short on day two from a few mistakes that couldn't be made up in the finals, it's just hard. In 2006, going neck and neck for the win with Oklahoma, but to again come up short by tenths of a point made us that more hungry. Last season, we shocked the country with a near day-one win, which was thought impossible, while also securing a spot in NCAA finals by knocking out rival Ohio State. We competed the best that we could have possibly done, but just lacked the amount of experienced talent needed with no senior class that all of the other teams had. So yes, going into this year, we are going after the title."

Do you have any predictions for the season?

"We're ranked eighth in pre-season polls by coaches throughout the country. We feel and know we are much better than that, so we are using the ranking as a fuel to the fire that keeps our team going. We didn't lose anyone, gained six exceptional freshmen and finished fifth last year. Nobody in this country wants this win more than us. With our experienced senior class, and our coaches' knowledge and motivation, we will teach our freshman class how to be champions. This isn't something I say with high hopes; this team is hungry and motivated to make this a fact. We as a team will come together when it counts and make the best run we can for the first national championship for Illinois since 1989."

What personal goals do you have for your senior season and the rest of your gymnastics career?

"This is a big year for myself, as it is an Olympic year. Since I was eight-years old I've dreamt of becoming an Olympic athlete. As of now, I have a long road to take in order to accomplish that goal. First, I need to earn my first U.S. Senior National Team selection in February at the Winter Cup Senior Nationals in Las Vegas. Next, I have to prove myself again at the U.S. qualifier and at USA Championships. If all goes as planned, I will be given chances to compete internationally. After USA's, Olympic trials is the next step. From there on out, it's history.

How do you plan on accomplishing these challenges?

"A lot of people wouldn't even consider me in the running for the 2008 Olympic team, which I know is my fault. In the past few years, I haven't taken gymnastics as serious as I need to in order to accomplish that goal. People may say it's too late now, but this is how dreams are made into realities. I look at the guys who are in the running for the team, right now, and I realize that they're the same guys who I've been competing against my entire life. I have got to believe, that while its been a tough road so far, I have a chance like any of them at going for the Olympic team. Before this year, I really thought NCAA gymnastics was it for me before I hung up the uniform and went into the business would. However, I wouldn't be able to look myself in the mirror if I let that happen. Gymnastics is my passion. It is my life. I've finally realized what I want, and I'm going to make the biggest reach for it, no matter what. I've made some poor decisions in the past, which have ultimately harmed my gymnastics potential. Now I realize, even though your committed 100% in the gym, that's not enough. You must be committed 110% in the gym and 120% out of the gym. I'm trying to alter my lifestyle to make this adjustment. There's not a minute that goes by now when I'm not thinking about gymnastics and my dream."