A home of their own: Sac State Hornets gymnastics open program’s first training facility

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (KTXL) – For the first time in the 59-year history of gymnastics at Sacramento State, the Hornets will have the use of their very own training facility that they will be able to call home.

Last Thursday, the Hornets opened their new state of the art training center located on Folsom Blvd. within walking distance of the college campus.

The opening of the new venue has been long overdue. For the last decade, the Hornets have trained in Elk Grove, and before that, in Rancho Cordova. Those locations caused longer days and added stress for student athletes because of the distance between Sac State and those training facilities.

“For me last year, I had two night-classes, so I was on campus for like 14 hours,” fifth-year senior Simone Dumas-Guzman told FOX40. “Just going back and forth to Elk Grove was so long. Having the ability to be so close (to campus) now, it’s just such a welcomed reward; it does kind of feel like a reward.”

The Hornets’ dedicated training site is owned by University Enterprises, Inc. (UEI), an auxiliary organization serving Sac State. UEI donated over $2 million to build a suitable space for the gymnastics team to train at all hours.

“This is our own and it’s something to be proud of,” Hornets head coach Melissa Genovese said. “I know the athletes (and) it just brings them to a whole other level. We are a true Division I gymnastics program.”

The new training facility comes stocked with equipment for the Hornets program featuring: Four high beams, two low beams, three full sets of bars, a foam pit, two vaults, Power Elite Floor, rod floor, tumbling strip, Tumbl Trak, green matting with school logos, two climbing ropes and conditioning equipment.

The gymnasts will have access to brand new locker room, featuring several showers and a spacious bathroom. The building will be adding jacuzzi tubs and massage tables to their training room. Several large fans located above the workout area keep the facility cool and a posh lounge features couches with decorative school logoed pillows, a large HD television and a kitchen is also included in the new training center.

The Hornets will begin their 60th season of gymnastics at Sac State in January 2025.

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