March 6, 2001
The score was an 8.200 - but it meant so much more for senior Frankie Pretzel.
The spotlight was on Pretzel at the 31st Annual Windy City Invitational for UIC's first men's gymnastics meet of the season. The event featured seven of the nation's top 14 teams and was in front of a packed Physical Education Building.
"That was the largest crowd I have ever performed in front of," Pretzel said. "I remember my last event of the meet was the high bar.
"I hit my routine very well and it was one of the best feelings I have ever experienced."
That feeling of joy was a culmination of three years of hard work as a member of the men's gymnastics team. Pretzel, after all, had only appeared in one meet in his career previous to the Windy City Invitational.
"After only making one meet last year, I decided after last season that I had to start working harder than I had been," Pretzel said. "I could be good enough with some hard work."
UIC men's gymnastics coach 'CJ' Johnson noticed Pretzel's newfound dedication immediately.
"He came back over the summer and he was determined to make it," Johnson said. "Nothing was going to get in his way."
Pretzel pushed himself to the limit and would not leave the gym until he had felt a sense of accomplishment each day.
"My goal every day was to never leave the gym without making myself a better gymnast," Pretzel said. "Even if it was the smallest improvement - it was an accomplishment.
"My other goal was to compete in every meet this season," Pretzel continued. "In order to do that I knew I had to train hard and push myself every day. I realized that I need to give 100 percent every day of practice, and it meant that I had to sometimes make myself do things that I really didn't feel like doing."
Not only has Pretzel competed in every meet - he has been one of the Flames' most dependable gymnasts.
Pretzel was a catalyst in UIC's (then) season-best performance of 203.750 against Air Force on February 4th. He recorded a pair of career-bests on the floor exercise (8.500) and still rings (8.550) against the Falcons. He later posted three career-bests against Michigan State on February 24th on the parallel bars (7.800), horizontal bar (8.300) and vault (8.850).
Pretzel's career has come full circle since his days as a gymnast for Lincoln-Way High School in New Lenox, Ill.
"It was like starting all over," Pretzel said. "I didn't have many friends here and I was very intimidated by the older, more experience teammates.
"I came from being one of the top gymnasts on my team (in high school) to here where I couldn't even make the team."
For the past three years, Pretzel had fallen just short of making the team.
"In college, 12 gymnasts are allowed to compete in each competition," Pretzel said. "For the past three years I've been that 13th or 14th guy who did not get to compete.
"It was frustrating, but I felt like maybe I made that 11th and 12th guy work a little harder and I was too close to give up," Pretzel continued. "I have to admit, competing this year is a very rewarding experience."
Pretzel, a member of the Student Athletic Advisory Committee, has also worked extensively to balance his athletics as well as his academics.
"Gymnastics like any sport requires a lot of time and dedication," Pretzel said. "It is often very difficult to go home after a tough practice and do anything except relax on the couch.
"So maintaining decent grades and being an athlete can be very challenging."
Johnson has shown a great sense of pride in Pretzel's progress from a high school gymnast to an effective collegiate gymnast.
"The thing that Frankie shows is that his greatest tool is his loyalty, determination and desire to continue for the love of it," Johnson said. "He has worked very hard and he never gave up - even when there were steps along the way.
"He took the challenge, accepted it and earned (his position)."
