Colin
Van Wicklen calls it the Redemption Tour.
Others
may call his return to the mat, vault and high bar a comeback.
Soon
the only thing Collin hopes to be called is a World Champion.
A
year ago, Colin was a 2017 World Team alternate and forced to watch as his
teammates compete in the 2017 World Championships. Being on the sidelines
wasn’t easy for a 12-time-All-American, who was an integral part of three
National Championship teams at the University of Oklahoma.
Colin
had just completed an incredible collegiate career at Oklahoma. As a senior
captain in 2017, he led the Sooners to a record third-straight NCAA
Championship and was the NCAA floor silver medalist.
Colin,
the 2016 NCAA Floor Champion, was just getting started. When his collegiate
career concluded he headed back to Texas and began training at Cypress
Gymnastics Academy. He was off to a great start, winning the 2017 All-Around
title at the Valeri Liukin Invitation. He began to build on his success and was
inching closer to his dream of making the World Team. But the rigors of the
sport stalled his dream, as he suffered an ankle injury just days before the
Winter Cup competition.
Down,
but not out, Colin worked through rehab and when cleared by his doctor, he made
it his mission to come back stronger and better than ever.
First
gymnast in the gym, last gymnast in the gym – every single day. That was
Colin’s motto.
“Going
to Worlds last year as a backup (alternate) definitely motivated me,” said
Colin.
“I worked hard and continued to pursue my goal.”
His
hard work and determination paid-off, he came back stronger than ever.
Since
Colin was eight years old he has been chasing his dream of representing the
United States at both the World Championship and the Olympics. He is half way
there.
After
medaling at the 2018 US National Championships this summer in Boston, MA, the
23 year-old no longer has to watch the World Championships from the sidelines.
He is living his dream as one of five gymnasts representing the United States
as a member of the 2018 World Team. Colin is in Doha, Qatar, competing in the
48th FIG Artistic Gymnastics Championship, October 25 – November 3.
“This
is something I have dreamed about since I was eight years old, to
hear my name called and to see how far I’ve come is a blessing.”
Colin isn’t satisfied to just be a member the team. He is determined to make an impact.
“We
have a super young team,” said Colin. “I have been working hard. This is my
first international competition. I am looking to hit all my routines and get on
the podium. I have an opportunity to get a big score for my team on the vault.
I want to show the world the new identity of the U.S. men’s team. And I want to
win a World Championship medal. That has been my personal goal since I was
eight years old.”
Colin
is also already looking ahead to 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
“As
long as I continue to work hard, that goal is achievable."
During
the 2018 World Championships, he will not only be representing the United
States, he will be representing Alpha Factor as a brand ambassador.
“Alpha
Factor is awesome,” said Colin. “Their uniforms are super popular for both women
and men. I love being able to show off (their uniforms) and hope we can get
other (U.S. team members) on board.”
