The women’s gymnastics team graduated five athletes last season, but hasn’t lost the support from any of those former contributors.

Former Huskie gymnasts like Ashley Guerra have already been in attendance this year, her first removed from the team, and head coach Sam Morreale believes that’s a testament to the type of culture he is trying to create in the program.

“From my standpoint, I love seeing them come back,” Morreale said. “You want to do more than just have an effect on these kids the time they’re here. Hopefully I can instill in them to give back to the program. Honestly the kids that are coming back are coming back on their own because they feel a connection with the kids on the roster. I think it is huge for current kids to see those alumni come back because it makes it a little bigger than us and what we’re doing.

“Some of those kids were my leaders, then when they come back they kind of positively influence the kids that are here right now. This year we’ve already had quite a few alumni come back, and even parents and grandparents of alumni at the events, too.”

Despite desire that may exist for former gymnasts to come back and help, their support is mostly limited to that of a cheering section in the stand or personal conversations they can have with gymnasts, as they cannot help in practices due to NCAA rules and coaching staff limitations. Morreale believes that if there was mutual interest for former gymnasts to pursue graduate school, they could be a coaching graduate assistant for him.

Even without the ability to get too close or work with gymnasts, the alumnae still have a big impact on the current upperclassmen. Senior Marisa Liptak believes that even though the alumnae were teammates, their friendship is what is the strongest.

“They’re some of my best friends,” Liptak said. “I can talk to them about just anything. It’s definitely different being a senior. I definitely have a really strong friendship with a lot of them. You really want to make a huge impact since it’s your final gymnastics year; I can talk to them about that or anything with gymnastics or even school.”

Another level that the presence of alumnae brings to the current gymnastics is extra motivation; senior Natalie Sutter believes it makes her more determined to perform to the best of her abilities.

“For them coming to the meets, you want to prove to them you’re moving in the right direction,” Sutter said. “Especially with Sam [Morreale] in his second year, we’re trying to get better each year. It’s proving that they helped you last year with your routines. It’s nice that they still support us.

“It’s the same thing as if your parents were watching. You do grow just as close to them as if they were a part of your family. Especially the girls that graduated last year, they’re there to support you so you want to live up to that support. To show them that there’s a reason that they’re there.”