Name: Becca Cardenas
Years competed: 2009-2012
Year graduated: 2012
What did you accomplish at Arizona and as a GymCat?

• Golden Eagle Academic Champion Award, August 2012
• Scholastic All-American, August 2011– May 2012
• Pac-12 All-Academic Honorable Mention, April 2012
• Student-Athlete Individual Community Service Award, April 2012
• Student-Athlete Team Community Service Award, April 2009 – 2012
• Student-Athlete Academic Champion, 2010–2012
• Pac-10 All-Conference 2^nd Team, April 2009
   

What have you been up to since graduation?
After graduating with my Bachelor's degree in Psychology, I moved back home to Hawaii and worked as a behavioral therapist for children with special needs. I came back to Arizona a year later to go through the accelerated nursing program at the University of Arizona. I've been working as a registered nurse for almost three years now at Banner University Medical Center and will actually be starting a new adventure at the end of August – I'll be moving to California for my first assignment as a travel nurse!

How do you feel Arizona helped you grow as a person?
Arizona taught me how to manage the demands of both athletics and academics, be a team player, overcome diversity, celebrate victories, and learn from losses. These valuable life lessons helped shape me into the person I am today.

Are you still involved in gymnastics? What do you miss most about the University of Arizona.
I would say I'm still involved in gymnastics, but in a slightly different way now. I started doing CrossFit almost two years ago, which basically involves weightlifting, cardio, and gymnastics. I received my CrossFit Level 1 certification a few months ago and have become involved in teaching others the technique and mechanics needed to perform gymnastics movements safely and effectively.

I miss a lot about the University of Arizona, but I mostly miss my GymCats! We trained together, ate together, traveled together, and in most cases lived together. At that point you're not just teammates, you're family. 

What about Arizona stood out to you when being recruited?
Arizona has a reputable nursing school and top 20 gymnastics program. I was also impressed with the beautiful campus and top-notch facilities when I visited the University of Arizona for the first time. I met the coaches and a few of the girls on the team during my first visit and they all welcomed me with open arms before I even signed on!  Everything about Arizona just felt right. I knew I wanted to be a Wildcat!

What do you miss most about being a student-athlete?
I miss competing as a GymCat. It was a dream come true getting to do the sport I was so passionate about for a school I was so proud to be a part of.

What are some of your favorite memories at Arizona and with the GymCats? 
There are too many to choose from! One was definitely our trip to Cancun for our season opener my senior year. The team competed well and we had the whole next day to celebrate on the beach and even swim with dolphins! Another moment I will never forget is my senior meet in McKale. That was probably one of the best performances of my gymnastics career, and it made it even more exciting that it was in front of our amazing home crowd. It was an honor getting to spend my last few moments as a gymnast with the best teammates in the world; my positive experience at Arizona and as a GymCat was mainly because of them!

What advice would you give to current GymCat athletes?
Work hard both in the gym and in the classroom, take advantage of the resources offered to you as a student-athlete, be there for your teammates, and have fun! Your time as a GymCat will be some of the best years of your life – enjoy every moment of it! Bear down!