They might be the toughest athletes at the University of Washington, and they certainly are pound-for-pound.
An injury is always just one mistake away. But when a UW gymnast lands a perfect vault, or finishes off a fabulous beam routine, she feels something most people will never get to experience.
“It’s the greatest feeling because you’ve worked so hard at the gym. When your hard work finally pays off, it feels so awesome,” said UW junior Hailey Burleson, who will lead the Huskies at Saturday’s NCAA Regional meet at Alaska Airlines Arena. “To run down the vault and give your teammates a high-five and see them all smiling and so happy, and then to give your coach a hug and they’re like, ‘You did so awesome!