Kim Gotlund’s three years of hard work have paid off as she has gained a new leadership role in gymnastics.

Gotlund, a senior, has spent her NIU career working to be the best gymnast on campus, but she’s also striving to make sure everyone around her turns into even better gymnasts.

That unselfish attitude is one of the reasons why Gotlund was named team captain at the start of the season. Megan Melendez and Amanda Stepp are also team captains.

“I pick those who lead by example,” said head coach Sam Morreale. “[Gotlund] works hard; she’s helpful with the younger kids. She’s kind of a natural leader.”

At the Nebraska meet, Gotlund put up an all-around score of 38.575, which Morreale said he expects to be a season low. Even though she managed to put up a career high of 9.8 on the bars, Gotlund isn’t satisfied.

“My vault and beam definitely weren’t my best,” Gotlund said. “I’m really working hard to fix the mistakes I made and just go up from here.”

While Gotlund spends a lot of time attempting to fix her mistakes, her biggest concern is the team’s performance. She is convinced the team is better than its preseason ranking of No. 4.

“We have all the skills,” Gotlund said. “It’s just a matter of polishing and performing the skills like we do in practice. We have a lot of great returners. I think we’re definitely the top team [in the MAC].”

Her time at NIU got off to a rocky start when she sprained both her ankles during her freshman year. The injury, in the third meet of the year, left Gotlund unable to compete.

“I think that really motivated me to want to do better and contribute my next three years,” Gotlund said. “I think it really sparked a fire in me and motivated me to want to get better and contribute to the team. It wasn’t fun sitting on the side watching. I want to be out there helping my team.”

Gotlund is the only gymnast among the Huskies who competes in all four events. Her dedication to the events allows for her to set a good example for her teammates, who she hopes to help mold into better gymnasts.

“I think it kind of goes hand in hand [with team captaincy],” Gotlund said. “I just work hard and have a good attitude, and that’s what helped me be an all-arounder. Going in there every day and putting in the work on all four events, that just shows the other girls that hard work will pay.”

Gotlund’s leadership doesn’t stop when exiting the gym. Morreale believes her work in the classroom helps the underclassmen when trying to adjust to life as student-athletes.

“She’s a really good student,” Morreale said. “To excel at both things, it shows the younger girls that it’s definitely possible.”

With this being Gotlund’s last year, she wants to make sure she leaves the team and her career in a good place.

“I really want to go out on a positive note,” Gotlund said. “I want to have the best year for myself and my team. I just want to be a good leader and pass on the hard work and motivation to the younger girls, just continue building the program, making the program get better.”