Senior Spotlight: Utah's Baely Rowe

Senior Spotlight: Utah's Baely Rowe

In this ongoing series, FloGymnastics spotlights this year's NCAA seniors heading into their final season. Next up is Utah's Baely Rowe.

Jan 6, 2017 by Keri Monstrola
Senior Spotlight: Utah's Baely Rowe
In this ongoing series, FloGymnastics spotlights this year's NCAA seniors heading into their final season. Next up is Utah's Baely Rowe.

Rowe, who is Utah's lone senior, is coming off her best season yet and is ready to help Utah do big things this season. She was an All-American last year in two disciplines: the all-around and on beam. Rowe has been a consistent gymnast for the Utes in her three seasons, hitting 100-104 career routines. She boasts a career-high all-around of 39.525 set in her junior season. Rowe will be a strong contributor for the Utes this season along with an outstanding leader.

Watch Rowe's preseason highlights:
[tweet url="https://twitter.com/UtahGymnastics/status/805090002547814401" hide_media="0" hide_thread="1"]

FloGymnastics: What is your major? When are you graduating?
Baely Rowe: Major: Communication and sociology. Minor: Business. I will graduate in the spring of 2018.

What have you learned about yourself in your time at Utah?
I have learned that each day is about "small positive changes." This is with gymnastics, life, and school. The biggest thing I have learned is how supportive my Utah family is. They will always be there no matter what, and I will always have my teammates as lifelong sisters.

What is your role on the team this season as a senior?
I am a team captain this year. My biggest role is to show the younger ones the way and to be someone that they can look up to and learn from.

You are the only senior this year. Do you feel any pressure with that?
Being in my own class has been a little difficult, but I have such a supportive group of upperclassmen that have been a great help. I do feel a little pressure as the only senior, and I try to lead by example. Although I am the only senior, nothing has really changed, and I am trying to take it one thing at a time and enjoy my last year.

What is your biggest accomplishment personally?
Being an All-American at 2016 nationals (all-around, beam).

What are you still looking to accomplish this season?
My personal goal this year is to enjoy each moment and not to get ahead of myself. Enjoy the little moments with the team, fans, and Utah community.

What are your team goals this season?
This year we have set a team motto of "U-Define the Moment," meaning what each member of the team will bring to each meet to contribute. We have goals to win Pac-12s, make Super Six, and win a national championship.

What is your favorite part about competition day?
Walking down the tunnel as a team before we head into the arena and hearing the incredible fans roar as we enter the arena.

What is it like competing in front such a huge crowd each week? Do you feel that it is an advantage as other teams enter that environment?
Our fans are incredibly amazing, and it is so much fun to compete in front of them! They are so knowledgeable and have such a love for the sport of gymnastics. The roar that comes from 14,000-plus fans when you nail a routine is amazing! For other teams it can be intimidating, as most teams don't compete in front of 14,000 fans.

What was it like to compete under retired Utah coach Greg Marsden? How was the transition from Marsden to Tom Farden?
Greg helped me learn who I was and who I want to be as a gymnast and person. He built the building blocks for me as a Utah gymnast. He was an incredible coach who knew the recipe for success. The transition with Tom was so smooth. Greg did a great job teaching Tom during his final season, so that the transition was seamless. Not much has changed in the way we do things, just with a new head coach. Both coaches have always taught us that quality is better than quantity.

How have your coaches at Utah helped you become a better gymnast?
They have taught us to be strong independent women. Megan has always told us to enjoy the moment and to enjoy these four years of your life that you will never forget. Greg taught me how important consistency was and that less is better. They have all been a great support system.

What are your plans after graduation?
I have a fifth year, so next year I will be the student coach. I want to get a job in marketing/advertising in some sort of athletics position.

How do you like to spend your time outside of the gym?
We love to hang out as a team and watch movies. When the weather is nice, we like to go on hikes and check out the amazing views. I also love to lay out and go shopping.

Tell us something about you that others might not know about you?
I like to listen to old school music.

What is one word to describe your attitude/personality in the gym?
Spunky.

Why would you tell a future recruit to come to Utah?
We are a family of sisters and have great team chemistry. We support each other in so many ways. Outside of gymnastics, Utah is great as we experience four seasons year-round. Of course the incredible fan base!

Related:
Senior Spotlight: Michigan's Nicole Artz
Senior Spotlight: Oklahoma's Chayse Capps
Senior Spotlight: Georgia's Lauren Johnson
Senior Spotlight: LSU's Ashleigh Gnat
Senior Spotlight: Stanford's Rachel Daum
Senior Spotlight: Auburn's Kullen Hlawek
Senior Spotlight: Florida's Claire Boyce