In the midst of one of its best seasons in school history, the ISU gymnastics team (10-2, 3-0 Big 12) couldn’t imagine performing as strong without the leadership provided by this year’s seniors.

“I really think we have one of the best team’s for leadership,” said freshman Ashley Kent. “Coming in here, they know what’s going on, they know how it’s been the last few years and they’ve really shown us, as freshmen, a great path and a great way to compete.”

According to coach K.J. Kindler, the leadership of the seniors is so important that the team wouldn’t be in its current position without it.

“This class has really set the tone for this team the last four years,” she said. “They’re a class with a lot of depth gymnastically and every single one of them brings something different to the table.”

Kindler noted that each of the seniors bring something different to the team, which adds to the Cyclones overall charisma.

“Krystal [Carney] is an incredible dancer and Jessica [Oney] is a powerful vaulter and is hometown – she’s from the state of Iowa and we don’t have that many Iowa kids in here,” she said. “Erin [Dethloff] is a dynamic all-arounder, L.K. (Laura-Kay Powell) is great and you know when you watch her, she’s beauty and grace and Kacey [Oiness] is unique, everything she does is very unique – and what a wonderful student. She’s done wonderful in the classroom and been a role model there.”

Oney said she believes the younger gymnasts react positively to the senior’s leadership.

“I feel confident about being a senior leader,” she said. “Myself and the other girls – we know the other girls look up to us and we just have to try and set a good example and be positive all the time.”

Carney pointed out that it’s easier to be a leader when everyone on the team gets along so well.

“We trust each other and work together,” she said. “That’s what it’s all about, being supportive of each other. It helps when we’re all friends.”

Kent said she thinks it’s a huge positive that the team is so close.

“We’re like sisters, pretty much,” she said. “We have such a tight team and we all get along really well.”

Dethloff said it’s a privilege to be a leader on the team.

“Our team chemistry is awesome,” she said. “Everyone contributes in their own special way.”

She added that the seniors have made such an impression on the younger gymnasts that they can’t imagine competing without them.

“We were just talking the other day about how they don’t know what they’re going to do without us, and they don’t know how they’re going to handle everything,” Dethloff said. “We told them ‘You guys are awesome, you guys can do it.’ We just encourage them.”

Kindler said she’s thrilled to have such a phenomenal group of seniors to lead this year’s team.

“They’re positive and upbeat, they love to be in here, they work hard and they’re great role models inside and out of the gym,” she said. “They’ve put a lot of sweat, tears and love into doing this for Iowa State, and they’re just great examples to the rest of the team.”

“I can’t imagine having a different group of seniors right now,” Kindler said. “They’ve far exceeded our expectations and as a whole and they’ll be greatly missed.”