Ashburn, Va. — Rock Ridge High School senior Caroline Cascadden has made a commitment to continue her gymnastics career at West Chester University beginning in the 2020-2021 academic year.
“I was so impressed by all of the girls on the West Chester team,” Cascadden said. “Their spirit, positive attitudes, and support for each other amazed me.”
Located about 20 miles outside of Philadelphia, Cascadden liked that West Chester is relatively close to home and that the team also competes in Maryland and Virginia.
“The chance of competing close to my home was also a factor that led me to this great school,” said Cascadden, who calls Ashburn home.
In 2019, the Division II Golden Rams placed second in the Eastern College Athletic Conference DII Championships and eighth in the USA Gymnastics Women’s Collegiate National Championships, which supports Division I, II and III schools with less than seven-and-a-half full scholarships.
I am looking forward to having my personality shine through with my new floor routine.
—Rock Ridge senior Caroline Cascadden
Cascadden hopes to add to the West Chester success as she competes on the beam and floor exercise.
“I hope to add my tenacity and strong work ethic,” Cascadden said. “I am looking forward to having my personality shine through with my new floor routine.”
Cascadden – who competes for APEX Gymnastics – finished 18th in the Level 10 competition at the USA Gymnastics Region 7 meet in Virginia Beach in 2019, scoring a 9.250 with her floor routine.
“APEX has been my second home. I practice 20+ hours a week there,” Cascadden said. “I’ve developed lifelong friendships with my teammates and coaches.”
While APEX has been her gymnastics home for years, it was at her actual home where Cascadden got her start in gymnastics.
“I started gymnastics when I was very young because I was climbing all over the house,” Cascadden said. “t has been a very long road with a lot of struggles. I wanted to quit many times. However, there is power in consistent training and forming positive habits that kept me going.”