Lone Freshman, Brown, Ready To Start Cyclone Career

AMES, Iowa - Freshman Caitlin Brown has already made Iowa State gymnastics history before even making her Cyclone debut. The Apple Valley, Minn., native is the lone newcomer on the Cyclones this season, marking the first time in Iowa State gymnastics history there has been just one new gymnast.

Brown, who was the runner-up on balance beam at the club national championships in 2011, has no problem with being the single newcomer on the Cyclones this season.

"It is definitely weird being the only freshman," Brown said. "But, the whole team has been great and they have been very welcoming. The coaches have been awesome and don't make me feel like I am the only freshman. They will make jokes sometimes, but it is all for fun."

Since arriving in Ames, Brown has been working hard in the Cyclone practice gym, including altering her bars routine.

"We started official practice awhile ago," Brown said. "It's been going well and I've been getting better, especially on bars. We changed my bars routine around a little bit and just got a better flow of things. I would also say my vault has improved a lot as well."

For Brown, beam is an event that needed little tinkering.

"Beam has always been my favorite event," she said. "It just comes more naturally to me, so it is just an easy event for me to do. It's just more enjoyable. On beam, I am thinking about keeping things up and perfecting everything that I have been working so hard on."

Brown will get her first chance to show off her new routines and fine-tuned skills Jan. 8 when the No. 24 Cyclones travel to Missouri. Brown can hardly wait to make her debut.

"I am very excited for my first college gymnastics meet," Brown said. "I committed here when I was a junior, so I have been looking forward to this for a long time and it's finally here. I've been working hard in the gym, so I am just going to keep that up and see how it goes."

To view a video feature on Brown where she answers 10 questions, click on the play button on the picture above, the video slide-out tab or the embedded video below.

VIDEO: 10 Questions With Caitlin Brown