Bobcat Athletes in the Spotlight

Athlete: Mark Vaughns 

Sport: Track and Field 

What are you most excited for while being able to compete again: I am most excited about being able to spike up and run on a track against other schools. Being able to travel with the team and having fun.

What are some challenges you had to face while not competing: Some challenges I had to face are not being able to get into a meet like experience, not being able to work on my nerves, and not being able to test my skills against others. 

 Advice to teammates: Some advice to my teammates is to have fun while you are in the moment, and always smile.

Athlete: Laiken Spahr

Sport: Acrobatics and Tumbling 

What is it like having a team of mostly first year students: “I think having a team of mostly first years has its ups and downs. I think it shows other athletes and teams that if you want something bad enough, you can make it happen. We all entered this year having no idea how to do Acro., and we are now getting ready to compete in March. It has taken hard work and time, but we have come so far in just a few months. I think it can be difficult only having first year students because you don’t have upperclassmen to help you learn new skills and progress. Thankfully, our coaches are young and just recently left the sport so they are able to help us.”

What are you most excited about while getting the chance to compete: “I am most excited to make history. Not only is this a new program at Frostburg but it is also a new sport. By the time I graduate, the sport will only be increasing in size. I think it is exciting to show younger female athletes that it is awesome to be strong and powerful. I am also excited to be able to compete because other sports teams do not get the opportunity this year because of  the pandemic.”

What do you hope to accomplish while being a part of the first Acrobatics and Tumbling team at FSU: “This year has not been as smooth as we expected, and much of that is because of the pandemic. But, as a team we are also battling many injuries. After this season I hope we are able to set a very stable platform for future [Acrobatic] teams to build off. I hope that we go into every meet with the mindset to compete just as well as we practice. We have the opportunity to be top four in our conference as long as we stay focused and consistent.”