IlliniHQ.com
Inside scoop: Wes Haagensen
Sunday November 1, 2009
John Cheng/USA Gymnastics
Former Illini Wes Haagensen
Inside scoop
Wes Haagensen is the latest former Illini gymnast to take his place on the sport's international stage. Following in the footsteps of 2008 Olympian and ex-teammate Justin Spring, Haagensen made his World Championships debut last month in London. One of six men's gymnasts to represent the U.S., Haagensen competed in two events. Although the six-time All-American did not advance to the finals – in the qualifying round, he placed 20th in still rings and 34th in pommel horse – Haagensen came away encouraged by the experience. News-Gazette staff writer Jeff Huth contacted Haagensen via e-mail while the two-time Big Ten champion was returning to the United States. Their question-and-answer exchange follows:
What was the World Championships like from a competitive standpoint as well as the atmosphere of the meet?
This Worlds has truly been an eye-opening experience. The competition allowed me to see where I stand against the rest of the world. I was able to measure myself up with the best in the world, and now I know what I need to do to continue to progress and be competitive with the best internationally.
As this was my first major international event, I did not quite know what I was getting into, and if I was able to compete with the best. Now I know where I stand, and at the next big event there won't be any doubt of whether or not I can compete with the world's greatest gymnasts.
I also learned that to be competitive on the world stage, there is more to it than just making your routines. I came into this world competition with the mind-set of hitting my routines and letting everything else fall into place. Looking back, I've realized that hitting routines is a must, but to be in an event finals or on the podium with a medal, you really have to put it all on the line, strive for perfection, perform with aggression, and, most importantly, you must trust yourself and your abilities. When you can hit a routine with that mind-set, then you get to compete in an event final at the World Championships and stand on a podium to hear "The Star-Spangled Banner" being played.
This must all take place in training and preparation, so when I get back to the Olympic Training Center, my intensity level and focus must go up. Now I'm hungrier than ever to be back at next year's World Championships and really push for a medal. I know I can compete with the best and now, as I've gained the experience of how the competition operates, I'll be ready for anything.
In the end, it all comes down to yourself and the equipment. In gymnastics, you really only compete against yourself, and you are your only barrier. Unlike other sports, there is no defense, so it really doesn't matter who is around you and how they perform, because you have zero control over that. I just tried to get out there, stay calm and relaxed, and perform my routines. My game plan, as hard as it was, was to treat the World Championships like a regular competition that I've done over and over.
How do you feel you performed for being a first-timer in a meet of this magnitude?
I felt like I did a pretty solid job of going out and completing my routines without any major flaws. I would have really liked to make my routines perfectly, but I suppose that's where the experience comes into play.
For competing in my first World Championships, I was able to keep my composure and do some good gymnastics. My pommel horse routine went pretty well; I struggled on a few skills but was able to stay on the apparatus and fight all the way to the finish. On rings, I started off very solid, doing some of the best strength skills I've ever done. Unfortunately, I got a little shaky on a couple handstand skills and it made the difference of being in the event finals.
It is encouraging to know, though, that when I do a solid routine at the best of my capabilities, I won't have any problems making it into the finals and making a run for a medal for the U.S. I feel my level of confidence has really increased by seeing where I can stand with the rest of the world, and it is right where I want to be.
What's next? Back to the U.S. Olympic training center in Colorado? Is there another meet or two on your schedule before the end of the year?
I'm actually in the airport right now waiting for my flight back to Colorado Springs. I won't get a break really at all. I'll be preparing for the DTB Cup that is held in Germany (Nov. 13-15). It's also a competition that focuses on individual events similar to this year's World Championships. There will be many top-rated competitors I'll be going against, including many that also just competed in the 2009 Worlds and others from around the world.
I am planning to compete on pommel horse, still rings and parallel bars. The DTB Cup will be another great competition to add to my resume and help me to gain even more experience on the international stage and get me that much closer to the ultimate competition, which is the 2012 Olympics.
After Germany, I'll start preparing for the Valeri Liukin Invitational in Texas, which takes place in December. From there on out, all of my training will be geared toward the Winter Cup Challenge in Las Vegas in February. That's when the 14-man roster for the U.S. National Team will be reselected based upon two days of performances. This is where I must retain my position as a national team member, and I plan to do everything possible to make sure I defend my spot.
Find this article at:
http://www.illinihq.com/news/2009/11/01/inside_scoop_wes_haagensen