The No. 6 Stanford women’s gymnastics team is currently in Athens, Ga. where it will prepare for the NCAA Championships at the University of Georgia, held today through Saturday at Stegman Coliseum.

Stanford is up for some serious competition as 12 of the best collegiate teams will face each other. Two weeks ago, the Cardinal qualified for the meet at the NCAA Regionals with a score of 197.525.

For the seniors, this marks not only their last NCAA Championship, but the last time most will ever perform gymnastics again. And this is no small loss, as the team has six seniors in its rankings: co-captains Tabitha Yim and Liz Tricase; Lauren Elmore, Alex Pintchouk, Stephanie Gentry and Aimee Precourt. It is one of the largest classes in program history.

“We weren’t sure what was expected of us as freshmen, then sophomore year we had a lot of fun, but not enough focus; junior year we were a little too intense,” said Yim.

For Yim, the most difficult thing about being a leader on the team is finding a balance between enjoying her time in the gym and keeping an eye on the ultimate goal: six for six.

“This year the seniors have tried to help find that balance and make sure that everyone comes in with the same motivation and same goal so that everyone functions as one,” she added.

As the Card prepares for the championships, senior Tabitha Yim (called “Tabby” by her teammates) reflected on her time here at Stanford. She has much to reflect upon: she has had a prolific and successful gymnastics career. She finished high school as a qualifier for the US Olympic team, though injuries ultimately prevented her from joining.

“I suffered a lot of personal things, like my father passing away, and then a number of serious injuries. I have always had faith and hope in people and myself. I think that everything happens for a reason,” Yim said.

For her teammates, too, it is Yim’s ability to reach out and connect with others that stands above her athletic achievements.

“She is a very caring person and a great friend. She is motivating and inspiring, not just to our team but to everyone she meets. And amidst all of her successes, she is the most down-to-earth person you’ll ever meet,” said Tricase.

Gymnastics is a sport that, until college, is entirely based on individual competition and merit. So participating in collegiate gymnastics requires not only dedication for four more years, but also the mental adjustment to being a member of a team. So for Yim, one of the most important things about being a member of the Stanford team is her ability to shape and create a legacy with the kind of chemistry that a team needs to turn individual competitors into team players.

“We have been able to hold each other accountable and really reach our potential,” she said. “We brought the program back and just created such a strong bond within the team, and we’re leaving that as motivation to fuel future generations of women’s gymnastics here at Stanford.”

Yim reflects on her career here not on an individual level, but as one piece of what has become her family at Stanford.

“I am really going to miss seeing the girls every day and having the interactions, especially because I am not coming back next year and I feel like I have made such a bond with the other seniors,” she said.

“One of my highlights was Nationals last year, especially at prelims when we were on beam last and just looked at each other, and we just knew that it was how it is supposed to be. And we all just came together.”

With all of her experience, success and tribulations, Yim is keeping the upcoming competition in perspective.

“Actually I don’t feel as nervous as I have in the past because this is the last meet I will ever do gymnastics and that really helps put perspective going into this weekend. I just want to soak up the time with my teammates. Practices are going well and we are finally getting into the rhythm,” Yim said.

After this weekend, Yim, along with her fellow seniors, will end her lifelong career in gymnastics. She will no longer be attending grueling practices and traveling every weekend, but hopefully the sentiment and character she helped create in the program will continue. While she will be deeply missed by both her teammates and fans, Yim will be taking her leadership skills, kindness and dedication to the nonprofit sector.

“I have an internship in New York City with a program called All Stars. I worked at Camp Kesem last summer and I’ll be working there this summer. It got me interested in philanthropy, and now I would like to pursue a career in nonprofit work,” she said.

All in all, teammate and co-captain junior Kelly Fee put it best: “Tabby is just magic.”