STANFORD, Calif. – Saturday’s meet against No. 5 Utah at 2 p.m. (PT) in Maples Pavilion will be the final time No. 12 Stanford’s four seniors will compete in front of their home crowd.
The quartet of Melissa Chuang, Jenna Frowein, Ivana Hong and Taylor Rice have each made significant contributions to the program on a daily basis in practice, the classroom and the competition floor.
The Class of 2016 has hit 87 percent of its routines (251-for-288) over the past four years and helped lead Stanford to three straight NCAA Championships appearances, including the 2015 Super Six.
The seniors took time to reflect on their time at Stanford and discuss their plans moving forward.
***
Stanford's Class of 2016
Melissa Chuang • VT, BB, FX • International Relations
What have you enjoyed most about your time as a member of SWG?
The opportunity to compete and perform in order to represent the team. The adrenaline rush and excitement that comes with raising your hand for Stanford is unlike any other experience and I am blessed with the chance to do so.
Describe a moment with the team that is particularly special to you.
The dual meet against Georgia earlier this year was special to me. I was last up on beam and had no idea that we were tied. After I hit my routine, I saw my team jumping up and down and they told me that we won – definitely a moment I won’t forget.
What have you enjoyed most about your teammates?
Honestly, what I enjoy is the day-to-day practices I get to have with these girls. We love each other and each girl brings so much life and laughter to the team, I wouldn't trade them for the world.
What to you hope to accomplish the remainder of this season?
As a team, we want to build every single meet. Getting better and better, finishing out this season at our peak performance – making improvements each meet, perfecting the little details, and increasing the level of performance.
What message would you give to anyone who has helped or impacted your career to help get you to this point?
I would want to them just know how extremely grateful I am for them. I would not be where I am without the support I have received from those around me. I am blessed with the opportunities that they have made possible and for the love & support they have surrounded me with. It is so much more than I could have dreamed of.
What are your plans after graduation?
I will be going abroad to complete my international relations degree and then I will be traveling through Africa in order to learn more about the intersection of technology and international development. In October, I will be moving to San Francisco and will start working at a startup called Upstart as a Growth Strategy and Analytics Associate.
Jenna Frowein • FX • Architecture, Sustainable Design and Construction
What have you enjoyed most about your time as a member of SWG?
I've truly enjoyed learning and living alongside my best friends and teammates as we tirelessly work toward a collective goal. Knowing you’ve poured out every ounce of physical, mental, and emotional energy into something you care about, alongside the people you love – there’s nothing like it.
Describe a moment with the team that is particularly special to you.
In the tunnel with the team before marching out at a competition – I love that feeling of focused, contained, yet surging excitement. There’s a collective confidence that exists in that atmosphere, when we’re all huddled together, shouting, jumping up and down, and waiting for the competition to start. Adrenaline, humble pride, and determination just radiates from our smiles.
What have you enjoyed most about your teammates?
What has really struck me about my teammates is how much they put others before themselves, reach out, and let you know that they truly, genuinely care. They’ve taught me how to be intentional in letting others know you care, and shown me the incredible blessing that can be.
What to you hope to accomplish the remainder of this season?
As a team, we are working day in and day out to compete for a spot in the Super Six at NCAA Championships. I intend to continue to consistently contribute on floor, add depth competing in the bar lineup, and truly enjoy every minute of training, competing, and living life with my team.
What message would you give to anyone who has helped or impacted your career to help get you to this point?
Thank you for believing in me, always - even at times when I didn't believe in myself.
What are your plans after graduation?
After graduation, I plan to travel over the summer and conduct research on the applications of biomimicry to architecture throughout Europe. I will return to Stanford in the fall to finish my co-terminal master’s degree in Sustainable Design and Construction (Structural Engineering) and will graduate again in December. Then I plan to work abroad for half a year before pursuing a Master's of Architecture degree at another university the following fall.
Ivana Hong • All-Around • Human Biology, Sociology
What have you enjoyed most about your time as a member of SWG?
Being surrounded by individuals who strive to be the best in all aspects of their lives (gym, school and their career) and having the privilege to be a part of something much larger than myself.
Describe a moment with the team that is particularly special to you.
Freshman year going to the Super Six and Senior (Redshirt Junior) year Super Six appearances always stand out in my mind because it was like two bookends that capped off my class of 2015's careers.
What have you enjoyed most about your teammates?
Each individual I have been on a team with over these last five years has inspired and motivated me in multiple different ways and they continue to do so. They are truly some of the most hard-working, bold, and determined people I know. I am grateful to have been surrounded by each and every one of them.
What do you hope to accomplish the remainder of this season?
This season has already gone by so quickly and I know that before I can comprehend it to the extent that I'd wish to, it'll all be over. That being said, I want to be as present as possible in every moment I have left doing gymnastics alongside incredible people and celebrating the years of dedication we've all put into this sport.
What message would you give to anyone who has helped or impacted your career to help get you to this point?
I know that 'thank you' is not enough, but from the bottom of my heart I want to sincerely thank my family, coaches, teammates, doctors, athletic trainers, physical therapists, friends, and many others for believing in me in both times of failure and success. Thank you for challenging me to be better every day in ways that extend beyond the gym.
What are your plans after graduation?
I plan to work with NBC for the Summer Olympics in Rio and then return back to school to finish prerequisites for physical therapy school in the future.
Taylor Rice • All-Around • International Relations
What have you enjoyed most about your time as a member of SWG?
I have enjoyed being able to rely on going to practice every day with some of my closest friends at Stanford. The relationships that I have formed with the people on SWG will last a lifetime.
Describe a moment with the team that is particularly special to you.
When Ivana nailed her vault and we all knew that we had actually qualified to Super Six last year – it was a feeling like no other. Every person was hugging and jumping up and down. It was a feeling of pride and triumph. It was amazing.
What have you enjoyed most about your teammates?
I like how everyone on the team is pretty smart so I can talk to them about things that smart people talk about. I also have enjoyed their spectrum of personalities. SWG people are interesting people. I recommend meeting them.
What to you hope to accomplish the remainder of this season?
I hope to compete with my team for a spot in the Super Six.
What message would you give to anyone who has helped or impacted your career to help get you to this point?
I'm extremely grateful for you! Thank you for putting up with a very difficult person such as myself. You are a God.
What are your plans after graduation?
I am studying abroad in Madrid this fall. Afterwards, I am a lost soul.