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WATERIDO Mimi-WM”. mm 13. 2014 . 23 Merkle tickled With fourth place 0 D O 0 Revolution Gymnastics product finishes Just shy of bronze at Commonwealth Games BY ADAM Mason were hoping that she could do the commit has just a week to pack Chronicle Stag routine that she could do. but it and prepare for thenext part other just didn‘t turn out that way â€" it‘s athletic and academic career â€" tetanie Merkle is admittedly a just something that happens in university. Slittle disappointed. but with gymnastioa. Merkie inked a scholarship with the future ahead of her, she ‘lfyou go back and average the the school late last fall. " "no t has no time to dwell on the past. floor routines she has done at ‘1 was only the second-oldest. The a .sphefe } Merkle. 18. who trains at Water~ major international events, her so we were a pretty young team to 15 50methmglll t loo's Revolution Gymnastics. went ave is probably something like ‘n with.‘ said Merkle, adding ' i from a surprise entry into the 2014 13%.!) those kinds of marks bugger: the Australian team. their neverforget. 1 ye i Commonwealth Games in Glas- would have git hera medal So we youngest member was as old as ”91/971799" to if sow. Scotland tocomingjust shy of were kind of feeling'for her that Canada's oldest member at 19 anything like this . a bronze medal in the floor pomon she wasnt able to put it together In years old. 1 ofthe international competition. that moment. it would have been 'We've been together for a before: 30 even . Merkle finished just .233 of a really reallygreat for her.” while. but a lot ofpeople don't see ' ' f point behind fellow Canadian Ellie The difference of .233 of a . what goes on behind the scenes. walking "Ila {he ‘ Black. who grabbed the bronze point is the equivalent of one We went to England for a week 01116186. It 10051113! medal with a score of 13.666. Aus- or two missed steps. so the before the games to train. then a shock m" Italian Lauren Mitchell finished in margin forerrorisminimal. we got there and competed second place with a 13.833, while Despite the disap- hard. We have great support -$‘dln|em England's Claudia Fragapane took pointing result, Merkle for each other and the 0" mmmfi'lgin 1"! gold with a dominating 14.541. said she was floored coaches were amazing Commonwealth Gum?! 1"! Despite being so close to a by the atmosphere . ‘ toq'nidMerkle. 0%”th medal, having a fellow Canadian surrounding the * For Revolution Gym- . teammate take the bronze medal games. “just a nastics. it‘s a bitter-sweet f helps to ease the pain. says Merkle. step below fieellng inving one of their .1 “i wouldn't have wanted it to go t h e top gymnasts move on to . to anyone else. so it worked out Olympics” university. i great that way," said Merkle. back “it was 'We'll miss her and the summer to visit. but most of l at home at Revolution Gymnastics. i n c r e di when people move on. her training will be done with the ‘ “l knew it was going to be a ble," said there's an inner group. OhioStateDuckeym I tough final â€" just being in that M e r k I e. and an emotional 'I am allowed to come back 1 final was insane. so 1 knew it was ' T h e dynamic with her here and train. so I'll probably do gotng to be close and to come in a t m o s Mamba team- mmmt’ngiflsandhclp out 7 fourth is just great ‘ phere is ’ mates that will be dif- With mamps.’ said Meltle. (oath and Revolution (‘Or something l'll ferent. but it's just The Cheerful blonde adds that owner Aaron Brokenshtre. a deco never forget ‘ . like life; the only theCommonwealth Gamesare the rated gymnast in his own right, “I've never thing that’s con- highlight of her career so far. and said it was disappotnting to see been to anything rant is change,‘ to end herelite gymnastics career Merkle come to close to a medal. like this before. so even said Brokenshire. on that note was perfect. especially knowrng the skill sht- walking into the Village. it Merkle will "It was easily the highlight of posesses and the scores she can \ was just a shock seeing all nan training with my career.” said Merkle. and consistently has ,, put up on the different countries. all the her new team on As for the takeaway from the the board different sports . . , d us being ug. 27 in Ohio. Commonwealth Games. Merklo 'Wc were thrilled that she went one of the younger (11%. it was a will compete said it's the value olhard work. probably to the best of her ability, big shock.‘ r 12 weeks in a "Hard work pays ofl.’ she said and her floor routine in the qualifir Merkle adds that the teamwork - on the NCAA "It was a tough road this year. and l cation was also really nice,” said aspect of the Commonwealth -t it. didn't know what to expect. bull Brokenshire “We did think that Games wasaperfect way to trami- Merkle says learned that as long as you keep sht' could Win a medal when she tion intohernextstep. he does plan to working hard. things can got to the finals on the floor. We The Ohio State University ‘ our: back during happen.‘ ' ' own inmfir‘itbitrcw SP is EXTRA. EXT ,......... W ,, 4-K I a” t. it t~-th.l READ ALL ABOUT IT. @ can, 3.1 an... _ “W“ 51% {$3 " Ni 2' l) . 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