PORTLAND – Day-to-day life often becomes a lot simpler with a routine.
But Lizzy Schoenlein’s routine is definitely not simple. Rather, it’d be more accurately described as hectic. Or a whirlwind.
The Jay County sophomore rises each morning at about 5:30 and heads out to her family’s barn. There she spends about an hour feeding the family’s pigs, cattle, goats and dogs. After that, it’s off to a full day of school, followed by gymnastics practice. Twice each week after practice, she visits the chiropractor to help heal her aching body.
Once Schoenlein has helped around the barn some more and finished her homework, it’s time for the student with the 4.0 GPA to hit the hay — meaning bedtime, of course, not more work on the farm.
“It’s not too bad,” Schoenlein said, “as long as I get enough sleep.”
The goal each night is to be in bed by 10, but …
“I never meet it, though. … Sometimes I say I’m going to bed at 9,” Schoenlein said, shaking her head.
Managing time is usually a skill — or lesson — learned in college, not as a 15-year-old. Schoenlein’s priority isn’t hanging out with friends every night (she saves that for weekends), but helping her family — regardless of the hours it entails.
“It amazes me when she’s up and out feeding, and we’re just getting out of bed,” said her mom, Kristen. “Like, ‘Did Lizzy go feed?’ ‘Oh yeah, she’s already out there doing it.’ But she loves the animals.”
Schoenlein’s discipline has paid off in a major way as she’ll be competing at the state gymnastics meet Saturday in Muncie for a second consecutive year. She qualified as an all-around participant after only doing so in her floor routine last year (but still competing in all categories since the team qualified).
Growing up in gymnastics helped hone the skills that have her expecting to place in the top five on the floor this weekend. But Schoenlein actually dropped the sport after fifth grade, instead choosing volleyball, basketball and track through middle school.
When she got to high school, though, Schoenlein quit basketball and picked up gymnastics again, which wasn’t a surprising choice considering her deep roots in the sport. Knowing she only wanted to do two sports, she also dropped track. Keeping the spring free was important to her to help around the farm because it’s show season.
During the spring and summer, Schoenlein travels to local shows like the county fair, but also farther away to cities like Louisville.
“There’s always something to do,” she said. “It’s busy, it’s stressful, but it’s fun.”
Getting back into gymnastics, however, had its price. Years of flipping, landing on her knees and hanging on bars have taken a toll. Add in setting and playing the front row in volleyball, which requires extensive amounts of leaping, and Schoenlein’s body has worn down — specifically her knees, back and wrists.
“You feel like you’re about 103 (years old),” said Katie Snyder, a former three-time state qualifier for Jay County and one of Schoenlein’s closest friends.
That’s why this year, Schoenlein started the routine of going to the chiropractor. In addition to her in-season regimen, she visits every two weeks in the offseason. She can feel a difference in her back and neck.
It also hasn’t hurt that first-year coach Lana Kahlig is a licensed massage therapist. As a Christmas gift, Kahlig gave all 10 members of the team massages. They weren’t an hour long or anything — more like the 15-minute version you’d see in the mall — but still effective. As the lone state qualifier, Schoenlein hasn’t had to share those massages with anyone this past week.
Even though she’s the only one competing in the state meet, Schoenlein has been far from alone at practice. Her mother doubles as an assistant coach, and Snyder stops in to watch her train.
“I have a lot of people supporting me,” Schoenlein said, “especially these three.”
Kristen Schoenlein actually didn’t have much of a background in gymnastics until recently, participating in swimming and cheerleading in high school. She started scoring matches about six years ago and did that for Jay County meets for four years, until her daughter reached high school.
When Kahlig was tabbed as the head coach before this season, Kristen Schoenlein decided to volunteer.
“They’ve been pretty tame,” Kahlig said, laughing. “No mother-daughter fights.”
Lizzy Schoenlein has her sights set on the school record for the beam, which is 9.6. She posted a 9.525 at regionals, and wants to place in either the beam or floor. Kahlig pointed out how much Schoenlein has improved throughout the season on the floor, and lately on the beam as well.
As Schoenlein keeps grinding away, she thinks she is performing at peak levels — even if her body doesn’t feel that way.
“I think I’ve definitely done better (lately),” Schoenlein said. “Sectionals and regionals have been my best meets. Even though my body is worn down, I’m competing better.
“Yeah, it’s kind of strange. (My body is) conditioned and it’s muscle memory, just doing the exact same thing every single time, so I’m kind of used to it.”
In the barn or on the mat, she’s got the routine down.
Contact high school sports features reporter Ryan O’Gara at (765) 213-5829. Follow him on Twitter @RyanOGaraTSP.
State Gymnastics Meet
When: 1 p.m. Saturday
Where: Worthen Arena, Ball State University
Local Participants: Kierstyn Cochran, New Castle; Lizzy Schoenlein, Jay County