Columnist’s Note: A new feature we’re implementing this semester at LSU Student Media is the “LSU Athlete of the Week.” Our inaugural honor goes to sophomore gymnast Rheagan Courville.
In future weeks, the nominations will be announced on “Out of Bounds” on Sundays from 6 to 7 p.m. on 91.1 KLSU. You can vote at lsureveille.com/sports.
Micah Bedard: The loss to Alabama this week was a tough one, but you guys upset Florida the week before. Assess how this team’s progress has been so far.
Rheagan Courville: Obviously we didn’t let the loss bring us down, because we know we’re a better team than that. We just got back in the gym Sunday and we focused on details. We know that all we really need to do is put together the little things, and it will all come together.
MB: The Metroplex Challenge is in Fort Worth, Texas on Saturday. There are some top teams in it, like No. 2 Oklahoma and No. 9 Georgia. How does it feel to go into it and put on a showcase in front of a bunch of good teams?
RC: We’re really excited. We have lots of fans coming. We’re going to try and keep up our energy the entire time. It’s a really good opportunity for us to make a statement and we’re excited to compete in that meet.
MB: You don’t come back to the Pete Maravich Assembly Center until Feb. 15, but you’ve already had two home meets against North Carolina State and Florida. When people talk about coming to gymnastics meets, what’s the atmosphere you want to see inside the PMAC?
RC: We love to see lots of energy and a big crowd. We like to see the stands full. I think we’ve had a great crowd so far, and it will only get better.
MB: A lot of people don’t know your coach D-D Breaux is the longest tenured coach at LSU. What do you think her impact has been on LSU gymnastics and gymnastics in Baton Rouge and around the state?
RC: D-D is a very motivational person, and she always has lots of energy. Throughout the entire meet you’ll see her and she just gets more fired up the whole time. She’s just a great person to be around in the gym and in competition.
MB: With the Fab Five of USA Gymnastics having the success they had in the Olympics last summer, how do you think that translates to little girls aspiring to be gymnasts?
RC: Oh yeah. I remember watching the Olympics when I was little, and that’s what really got me into it, watching Lilia Podkopayeva win the Olympics. I know that them watching USA win just was really magical and makes you want to get in the gym when you’re little. That’s just a great feeling that all little girls have.
MB: A lot of the attention with the Fab Five dealt with the McKayla Maroney face after she lost. Have you ever had one of those moments before when you thought you were a bit underscored standing at the podium?
RC: Everyone has those moments, but hers just happened to be caught on camera. I think it’s funny and cute.
MB: What do you think of Gabby Douglas and her other teammates guest-starring on TV shows and how their popularity has soared since the Olympics?
RC: Well they’re celebrities because of their success. I think it’s great for them because they deserve it.
MB: What’s your favorite part of being an LSU athlete?
RC: I would say just getting to be a part of such an amazing academic program as well as athletics. LSU has it all, and I’m so proud to be here.
MB: What’s your favorite LSU sport besides gymnastics?
RC: Obviously football. I didn’t miss a football game all season. Other than football, I’ve been to some tennis matches, volleyball, soccer. I’ve been to just about everything. I really like watching volleyball.
MB: As a team, what’s your best gymnastics memory?
RC: As a team, I would say my best memory is regionals last year. It was because I fell on vault. When we got to our last event, we needed everyone to hit and could only have one mess-up. The first person in our lineup fell, so we really had to come together as a team. At that moment, I realized how amazing my team is and how they have my back and helped me get through it. We ended up making it to nationals.
MB: What’s your favorite gymnastics event?
RC: My favorite event is beam. I really enjoy competing vault but beam has always been my favorite event. I think it always will be.
MB: A lot of people are making a big deal of Louisiana State University Laboratory School’s Tim Williams committing to Alabama. You went to U-High — what made you want to stay and continue on at LSU?
RC: I just honestly thought no university would ever compare, and I was right.
MB: Any weird pre-meet rituals that you or any of your teammates do to get you in the zone before the meet?
RC: I think we’re all really superstitious, so seeing us in the locker room is a bunch of head cases. I have to use the same amount of bobby pins at every meet. I have to get coffee two times before and drink Nesquik. It’s kind of weird.
Micah Bedard is a 22-year-old history senior from Houma.
