Completed Event: Gymnastics at #10 Iowa (Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series) on January 10, 2026 , Loss , 193.425, to, 196.000
Final
Gymnastics
193.425
#10 Iowa (Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series)
196.000
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Iowa State University Athletics
Health Concerns Behind Her, Browning Ready to Compete
01.07.2011 | Gymnastics
AMES, Iowa?Iowa State junior gymnast Michelle Browning has focused her concerns on helping her team reach its goals this season. Her ability to direct her attention fully toward competition is a plus, considering the health concerns the Houston, Texas, native had to overcome the past nine months.
Rewind to April 15, 2010 when Browning had to put one her finest gymnastics accomplishments on the shelf when she learned of blood clots in her lungs. The Cyclone had qualified in the all-around to the 2010 NCAA Championships just five days earlier, but the blood clots forced her to withdraw from the NCAA Championships.
“It was really disappointing because it was a personal goal of mine at that point to make it to nationals,” Browning said. “Once I realized the seriousness of my health, I got over missing the meet. However, I got a lot of support from my teammates and coaches throughout the process which was really great.”
After six days in the hospital, Browning was released. But a date when she could return to gymnastics was an unknown. The first two months she was out of the hospital, Browning was not allowed to do any physical activity. After regular checkups, the Cyclone all-arounder was able to begin cardiovascular activity in mid-June. However, a July setback started the process of getting back into shape all over again.
“I really thought redshirting this year was what was going to happen,” Browning said. “I always wanted to compete this year, but I did not know if it was realistic because of my health. It was a slow process just to be able to start getting back into shape. I wasn't really worrying about my gymnastics skills at that point.”
Browning returned to the gymnastics room on scaled-back level in September when she started performing simple skills. However, release moves and tumbling would have to come later. Browning was rewarded for her hard work and patience in October when she was fully released to return to gymnastics.
She felt a lot of rust upon a return to gymnastics, but Browning said a lot of positives were reaped from the lengthy layoff.
“There are certain things that I lost my timing on, but it came back,” Browning said. “Some of it was good for me because my body felt rested and some of my injuries had time to heal up. The comeback was smoother than I expected. It has given me new appreciation for competition. It wasn't necessarily something that was going to happen this year. When I am having tough days, I think about how lucky I am to be here.”
Browning and the rest of the 22nd-ranked Cyclones will get their first chance of the 2011 campaign to face competition in front of the Iowa State fans tonight inside Hilton Coliseum when No. 15 Auburn is set to face Iowa State at 7 p.m.
Rewind to April 15, 2010 when Browning had to put one her finest gymnastics accomplishments on the shelf when she learned of blood clots in her lungs. The Cyclone had qualified in the all-around to the 2010 NCAA Championships just five days earlier, but the blood clots forced her to withdraw from the NCAA Championships.
“It was really disappointing because it was a personal goal of mine at that point to make it to nationals,” Browning said. “Once I realized the seriousness of my health, I got over missing the meet. However, I got a lot of support from my teammates and coaches throughout the process which was really great.”
After six days in the hospital, Browning was released. But a date when she could return to gymnastics was an unknown. The first two months she was out of the hospital, Browning was not allowed to do any physical activity. After regular checkups, the Cyclone all-arounder was able to begin cardiovascular activity in mid-June. However, a July setback started the process of getting back into shape all over again.
“I really thought redshirting this year was what was going to happen,” Browning said. “I always wanted to compete this year, but I did not know if it was realistic because of my health. It was a slow process just to be able to start getting back into shape. I wasn't really worrying about my gymnastics skills at that point.”
Browning returned to the gymnastics room on scaled-back level in September when she started performing simple skills. However, release moves and tumbling would have to come later. Browning was rewarded for her hard work and patience in October when she was fully released to return to gymnastics.
She felt a lot of rust upon a return to gymnastics, but Browning said a lot of positives were reaped from the lengthy layoff.
“There are certain things that I lost my timing on, but it came back,” Browning said. “Some of it was good for me because my body felt rested and some of my injuries had time to heal up. The comeback was smoother than I expected. It has given me new appreciation for competition. It wasn't necessarily something that was going to happen this year. When I am having tough days, I think about how lucky I am to be here.”
Browning and the rest of the 22nd-ranked Cyclones will get their first chance of the 2011 campaign to face competition in front of the Iowa State fans tonight inside Hilton Coliseum when No. 15 Auburn is set to face Iowa State at 7 p.m.
Players Mentioned
Monday, January 26
Monday, January 05
Tuesday, March 25
Monday, March 03
