Freshman Feature: Phoebe Turner

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State's first signee of their 2018 recruiting class was elite level gymnast Phoebe Turner. Turner has made it to campus and is one of three internationals gymnasts that will be joining this year's team.

Growing up in England, Turner started gymnastics at age seven. She got her start joining a club ran by her school until she was placed into a club by her mom.

As time progressed, Turner was on the fast track to compete at a higher level. It was at age 13 her family decided to move closer to her club gym because of the strenuous travel.

"To get to my gym it used to take me an hour," she exclaimed. "We would have to travel an hour there and an hour back five days a week until I was 13. Then we decided to move schools just to be closer to the gym."

Competing as an elite level gymnast is not an easy task. Turner said she spent more than 30 hours a week training at the gym as well as maintaining her school work.

Turner knew she wanted to continue her gymnastics career when she saw two of her British Gymnastics National Team teammates make the move over to the United States and NCAA Gymnastics. That's when she knew she should start contacting schools.

"I have teammates, one of whom is at LSU and the other on is at Pittsburgh, and I saw them going through process," she added. "I saw them having a great time, so I thought that was something I wanted to do too. So, I emailed some schools and said I was interested."

Turner eventually made the trip from across the pond to Iowa State and decided to commit and sign with the Cyclones after two visits.

She also admitted that being an elite level gymnast will help her with the transition to Iowa State.

"I feel like being part of an elite (gym) was helpful because I know my limits and know what I need to do to be able to perform, she explained." "Like on vault I know I need to be ready for this, and be ready at this time to be able to perform well. "

With the start of the season quickly approaching, Turner said she's excited for the college gymnastics atmosphere and to be a part of such a big team.

Iowa State University Athletics

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