Despite being on competing teams, junior Charlotte Fauls and Thomas Jefferson sophomore Camdyn Noderer see each other as teammates rather than opponents.
“I’ve never really considered it as competing against each other. She’s like a teammate to me, which brings us closer together,” Noderer said.
Both TJ and Baldwin gymnastics teams practice at Premier Gym and Cheer. Fauls and Noderer met through gymnastics three years ago.
Fauls appreciates their friendship and sees it the same way — that they are not opponents.
“Camdyn Noderer is one of my best friends and an inspiration in gymnastics,” she said. “She’s technically not my teammate because she goes to TJ. But we all practice together, so I consider her my teammate.”
Fauls started gymnastics at age 8 after her parents signed her up. She began at Gemini Gymnastics, where she remained on their club team until high school. Some of her teammates had started with her at Gemini. The team itself is one of the main reasons Fauls continues doing gymnastics.
“I just really like the sport and the people that I do it with, so I just kept doing it,” she said.
Fauls feels like the gymnastics team’s bond is stronger than those on most teams due to their roster size and how long they’ve been together.
“It’s like a smaller team and I’ve been with them since club, so we’re all pretty close,” she said.
The team partakes in traditions that contribute to their strong bond.
“After meets, we usually go out to dinner with our teammates. We always have a lot of fun and everyone goes,” she said.
Fauls credits the sport with benefitting her physically and mentally.
“The sport has helped me build both physical and mental strength. It helped me with confidence and facing challenges over time,” she said. “I’ve learned that it’s important to practice and have patience if you want to make progress.”
Looking towards her senior year, Fauls is excited to continue with her teammates.
“I’m looking forward to just spending my senior year with my teammates, who are now my best friends,” Fauls said. “They are just great to be around and make this sport worth doing.”
Her teammate and close friend senior Vivien Skalos praises Fauls for her team spirit.
“She is very supportive and will always cheer you on no matter what,” Skalos said.
Skalos also recognizes Fauls’ skills and mindset.
“She contributes a lot to our team in all events — especially floor,” Skalos said. “She is a very determined person and always strives to be the best she can be.”
Noderer agreed.
“Her floor routine has recently gotten so good and is so fun to watch. I am just so proud of her for it,” Noderer said.
She also acknowledged Fauls’ positive attitude.
“If I ever have a bad day, I know Charlotte will be there to cheer me on and support me,” Noderer said. “Charlotte works very hard at practice, and even when things don’t go right, she is always cheering for everyone else.”
Fauls dedicates a lot of her time to practicing, even outside of the gymnastics season.
“We have practices in the summer and in the fall at Premier, so I stay in shape,” she said.
Besides gymnastics, Fauls is also on the track and field team, where she competes in hurdles. She previously was a part of the indoor track team.
“I do track, but last year I did indoor track while doing gymnastics. This year I had to quit indoor track because it was too much,” she said.
After high school, Fauls plans to attend Duquesne and major in pre-med, hoping to eventually become a dermatologist. She does not intend to play either of her sports at a collegiate level.
“I’m going to focus on my education,” she said.
