Iowa State University Athletics
Meet the Cyclone Gymnasts: Molly Russ
11.10.2016 | Athletics, Gymnastics
AMES, Iowa - The story of Molly Russ's journey to Iowa State is not completely typical for a collegiate gymnast. Despite a peculiar start to her career, nothing has stopped Russ from taking a state title and earning her way to Level 10 Nationals. Her focus and love for the sport will definitely be an important contribution to the Cyclone gymnastics team this season.
A self-proclaimed late bloomer, Russ didn't start practicing gymnastics until she was about seven-years old.
"I was just flipping around at my brother and sister's basketball game," Russ explained. "One of the girls in the stands did college gymnastics, and asked my mom if I was in classes. When my mom said I wasn't the girl told her to get me in them. So it's just kind of gone from there."
Her mother not only got her started in gymnastics, but supported her throughout her entire career. Whether it was a practice or a meet, Russ could always count on her mom being around to cheer her on.
"My mom came to every single practice until I could drive, so until I was 16," said Russ. "She drove me to every meet and always calmed me down before my meets. She was definitely a huge role model for me growing up."
The Cincinnati, Ohio native considers earing a scholarship to Iowa State and competing at Level 10 Nationals her greatest achievements. Her stellar career with Queen City Gymnastics included placing fourth all-around at the Region 5 Championships in 2015. In that meet she also placed second of floor, third on vault, and tied for fifth on bars. This came after an impressive meet at the 2015 Ohio State Championships where she took top-five finishes on every single event. She earned the state title on floor and finished second on beam, bars, and the all-around, plus tying for second on vault.
When asked about any injuries or setbacks, Russ had a pretty surprising response.
"I actually had a broken ankle for two years that I didn't know about," the gymnast replied. "That was a struggle, and I eventually had to have surgery on it. I got a lump on my ankle, it was like another bone, and it was hurting. But the doctor told me there was nothing wrong with it. Finally, I went to an ankle specialist and they told me it had been broken for two years."
Russ didn't let this unprecedented setback slow her down on her way to collegiate gymnastics. She pushed hard to compete and was thrilled to be recruited by Iowa State University.
"I just loved the feeling of this school," Russ explained. "When you come on to this campus you feel like you're at home and it's incredibly welcoming."
Now that she's spent some more time on campus during her first semester at Iowa State, she has come to find that the support of her team is her favorite thing about the experience so far.
"I just love the team," she exclaimed. "Especially since it's been really hard this year to come in as a freshman. Just because it's been really different. The upperclassmen really help us through everything and they push us to be better."
