Alana Laster, a Recreation and Park Administration junior on the ISU gymnastics team, stands out not only for her exceptional skills but also for her inspiring journey from Florida to the Midwest.
The beginning
Laster’s journey into gymnastics began at the tender age of three, inspired by a Pre-K activity that sparked her love for tumbling. Since then, her commitment to the sport has grown gradually, leading her to choose ISU for its gymnastics program.
“Choosing ISU was not an easy choice. There was a lot of hesitancy, especially because it meant leaving my familiar surroundings for the cold winters in Illinois,” she said.
Despite the reservations, Laster’s love for gymnastics and the unique atmosphere she found at ISU convinced her that it was a wise decision.
The work
“The sport is very demanding on my time. Last semester, I had to make time for gymnastics practices, classes, studying, and other personal commitments. A lot of the time I had early morning practices and late-night study sessions,” she said.
With a daily weekday routine of practices starting at 7 a.m. and classes to attend throughout the day, Laster’s schedule is a balance of athletic commitments and academic responsibilities.
“Competition days are even busier. They require early starts, intensive warm-ups, and full mental preparation for me to perform my best,” she said.
Despite the chaos, Laster remains focused on the joy of competing and is inspired by the little girl who fell in love with the sport.
Achievements and inspiration
Laster’s achievements run from the state championships in high school to her experiences at regionals and nationals. Her list of accolades includes being America’s top 100 two times for vault scoring a 9.800 and a 9.850 in 2020 as well as Level 10 vault, bars, floor, and all-around champion in 2021.
As a freshman, Laster went to Regionals and achieved a National Qualifying score (NQS) of #53, won the Midwest Independent Conference (MIC) Newcomer of the Year as well as All-MIC First Team Honors for vault, floor, and all-around. Last year, she went to Regionals as a sophomore and won National Qualifying Score (NQS) of #44, All-MIC First Team Honors for vault as well as all-around MIC All-around champion.
She emphasizes the importance of small wins and continuous improvement, not solely focused on the end goal but valuing progress along the way.
Beyond the gym, Laster draws inspiration from her grandmother, historical figures such as Rosa Parks and Madam CJ Walker, as well as fellow gymnast Gabby Douglas. These figures embody strength, resilience, and breaking barriers, which influence Laster’s approach to the challenges she faces and fuel her passion to succeed as a student-athlete.
Challenges and homesickness
Laster’s journey has not been without challenges.
As one of the few black athletes in the sport, Laster initially felt discomfort at the lack of representation. However, her perspective shifted once she began to recognize the privilege of being able to pursue the sport, considering the financial challenges that many face.
Like most college students who are transitioning into college life, Laster has dealt with the challenge of homesickness.
“The distance from home has been particularly challenging. But visiting my family periodically and connecting with them during competitions has been comforting,” she said.
Looking ahead
Laster acknowledges that the financial support from her scholarship has been incredibly helpful in her academic journey. Maintaining a scholarship requires academic excellence, particularly a GPA above 3.0. According to her, this requirement enables her to soar academically and provides a firm foundation for her academic excellence throughout her tenure at ISU.
Expressing a desire for financial independence, Laster also plans to secure a job over the summer. As for her future in athletics, the budding athlete notes that despite her record-breaking achievements so far, her career in gymnastics is just beginning.
Interested in majoring in Recreation and Park Administration like Laster? Learn more here.
