By Jess Westendorf
The 2017 Iowa women’s gymnastics season is underway, and one GymHawk in particular is stealing the show early on.
Charlotte Sullivan is only a freshman on this year’s squad, but she is starting out with a bang and making a name for herself.
The New Zealand native was introduced to gymnastics at a birthday party in Christchurch when she was 5.
“I went to a birthday party at a gymnastics place, and the coaches asked my mom if I wanted to join,” Sullivan said. “[My mom] thought I would be good at it, so I just started from there.”
Throughout her career, Sullivan’s parents have been her biggest fans and biggest supporters. Part of competing in gymnastics is traveling to different places every other weekend and supporting the gymnast with her specific needs. Without the help and support from her family, her career as a gymnast could have been cut short.
“I would have to say my parents are my biggest supporters,” Sullivan said. “We did a lot of fundraising, and I had to travel overseas a lot, they helped a lot with that and taking me different places.”
Sullivan competed in the Elite level of competition, a more individualized level rather than looking at the team as a whole.
Leading up and during her high school career, Sullivan competed for the New Zealand National team starting in 2007 and continuing from 2010-14.
“It was a lot of fun; I really enjoyed the experience,” Sullivan said. “We always got to travel with the same group of girls, and I was able to get close with those girls.”
The experience not only was valuable for her showcasing her great gymnastic qualities, it helped with the transition to the team aspect of the sport.
In 2014, Sullivan competed at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, where she made the floor and all-around finals. Then, in 2015, she competed at the World Cup Event in Portugal, where she placed with a bronze medal on the beam.
Sullivan’s said her favorite gymnast is Iowan Shawn Johnson. Even though Johnson is not from New Zealand, Sullivan loved watching her compete growing up. Johnson is now a retired American gymnast, but she did compete for the United States National team. In 2008 at the Olympics, Johnson won gold on the beam and silver in all-around and floor.
Sullivan made her Hawkeye début at Northern Illinois on Jan. 8, where she placed second overall in the all-around.
At the second meet of the season against Michigan State, she stepped into the spotlight and never looked back. She won the all-around at the with a 39.050 to mark her first all-around college win.
“I could not be more proud of Charlotte in her début as a GymHawk,” Iowa head coach Larissa Libby said in a release after the Michigan State win. “Sunday was just a little glimpse into what this young lady is capable of. Expect to see more of her.”
Libby has been proven correct. On Jan. 21, the GymHawks upset Ohio State in Columbus, and Sullivan took home her second all-around title of the season, in addition to setting a season best on vault with a 9.800.
Next up for the Hawkeyes and Sullivan is Maryland and not only is Sullivan excited to compete but also to be back in Carver-Hawkeye.
“I am definitely excited to be back home in Carver,” Sullivan said. “I loved it last time with all the fans and the atmosphere.”
So far Sullivan and her teammates are confident in the way they are performing, but like every gymnast, she knows there is room for improvement.
“I want to continue to get better and tighten everything up,” she said. “I want to make sure I stick my landings and straighten my legs. I just want to keep focusing on the little things I know I can make better.”
