Claire Boyce (right) joins manager Lindsey Walker (left). Boyce is sidelined in 2016 with due to hip dysplasia surgery but is still helping out the team.
Claire Boyce: Learning from the Sideline
Tuesday, February 9, 2016 | Gymnastics
From a young age Claire Boyce liked to move fast.
As a toddler, Boyce quickly bypassed crawling and was walking just like her brother, who is 18 months older than her.
But in a stranger than fiction twist, Boyce's accelerated speed before the age of 1 would force her to sit out her junior gymnastics season.
In August of 2015, Boyce had hip dysplasia surgery, as her hip socket was too small for the joint to fit. The condition often results in dislocation of the joint.
"The doctor said this is actually a pretty common issue in infants and children," Boyce said. "If you don't crawl enough, your sockets don't form deep enough."
During her sophomore season was when the pain began. After countless doctor's visits, she was referred to a specialist in Boston.
All it took was one look at her x-rays before Boyce was faced with a choice. Boyce could either push through her next two years, and be faced with the need for a hip replacement, or undergo surgery and completely sit out her junior season of gymnastics.
But Boyce's road to recovery has become a lesson in support and leadership.
Amidst adjusting to the healing process came the arrival of head coach Jenny Rowland.
Boyce and Rowland got to know each other in a unique way. "Hi, my name's Claire and I have to have surgery," was probably the last thing Boyce had in mind as the conversation starter. But as training, and the season progressed, so did their relationship.
"It's just nice to be able to get to know her from a different side," Boyce said. "Not to get to know her as a coach, but more on the observation part of the team."
Boyce said that Rowland has had a primary focus of helping her stay as involved with the team as much as possible. It is now Boyce capturing her teammate's routines on the iPad or helping with bar or mat adjustments.
Boyce's transition from competitive lineup to support staff has given her an even further appreciation for her teammates.
"When you're competing and there's so much going on, you don't realize the amount of support that you have," Boyce said. "But when you step back and you're actually the support, you realize 'wow, they do so much for us.' It's amazing,"
As Boyce looks to enter next year as the lone senior, her year of rest has prepared her to be a strong leader.
"It isn't what I planned, but in a little bit I'll be pain free and it's going to be great. I'm going to have a lot of motivation to come back and kill it."
As a toddler, Boyce quickly bypassed crawling and was walking just like her brother, who is 18 months older than her.
But in a stranger than fiction twist, Boyce's accelerated speed before the age of 1 would force her to sit out her junior gymnastics season.
In August of 2015, Boyce had hip dysplasia surgery, as her hip socket was too small for the joint to fit. The condition often results in dislocation of the joint.
"The doctor said this is actually a pretty common issue in infants and children," Boyce said. "If you don't crawl enough, your sockets don't form deep enough."
During her sophomore season was when the pain began. After countless doctor's visits, she was referred to a specialist in Boston.
All it took was one look at her x-rays before Boyce was faced with a choice. Boyce could either push through her next two years, and be faced with the need for a hip replacement, or undergo surgery and completely sit out her junior season of gymnastics.
But Boyce's road to recovery has become a lesson in support and leadership.
Amidst adjusting to the healing process came the arrival of head coach Jenny Rowland.
Boyce and Rowland got to know each other in a unique way. "Hi, my name's Claire and I have to have surgery," was probably the last thing Boyce had in mind as the conversation starter. But as training, and the season progressed, so did their relationship.
"It's just nice to be able to get to know her from a different side," Boyce said. "Not to get to know her as a coach, but more on the observation part of the team."
Boyce said that Rowland has had a primary focus of helping her stay as involved with the team as much as possible. It is now Boyce capturing her teammate's routines on the iPad or helping with bar or mat adjustments.
Boyce's transition from competitive lineup to support staff has given her an even further appreciation for her teammates.
"When you're competing and there's so much going on, you don't realize the amount of support that you have," Boyce said. "But when you step back and you're actually the support, you realize 'wow, they do so much for us.' It's amazing,"
As Boyce looks to enter next year as the lone senior, her year of rest has prepared her to be a strong leader.
"It isn't what I planned, but in a little bit I'll be pain free and it's going to be great. I'm going to have a lot of motivation to come back and kill it."
Players Mentioned
AA
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