Dear Washington: Kristyn Hoffa
7/2/2020
Dear Washington,
On my unofficial visit back in 2013 (!!) at the University of Washington, I knew this was the place I wanted to be. It felt like home the minute I stepped into the gym facility. Both the coaches and gymnasts were welcoming and would listen to whatever questions I had. Simply put, this was where I wanted and needed to be.
To the fans,
Attending the University of Washington and repping the purple and the gold in competition is by far the greatest experience I have had. When I came to this program, our fan base was small, and Washington was ranked in the 30s for gymnastics. I was able to watch our fan base grow into something truly amazing. I always looked forward to competing at home because of the fans! Thank you so much to all of you who came out and supported the GymDawgs every single home meet. You made the arena an experience like no other.
To my coaches Elise, Chad, and Ralph,
Thank you for giving me a fifth year in order to make up for a lost freshman year due to injury. You believed in me and I am forever grateful to have been given this amazing opportunity. Thank you for pushing me to be the best person I could be inside and out of gymnastics. You all value academics and push the entire team to do their best in school. We would focus on the smallest of details because that is what separated us from other teams. We also had so much fun playing games for warmup. This year, we loved playing volleyball and having Chad and Ralph join in on the game made it even better.
All three of you helped me to get my full-in competition ready. Even though Chad was the floor and vault coach, Elise and Ralph helped me by giving corrections to ensure I would be able to compete at my best. If it wasn’t for you coaches, I would not have been All-American on floor this year. The coaching staff for UW Gymnastics is one of a kind and I would not trade them for the world. Elise, Chad, Ralph: you helped mold me into the person I am today. You pushed to my limits every single day and for that, I'm leaving Washington as a better gymnast.
To my teammates,
Thank you for being you. I had the opportunity to be on a team with all amazing young women. We are not just teammates; we are a family. Thank you for allowing me to be your captain alongside Ev and Mad-dawg. You are all amazing human beings and I am forever grateful to have competed with you. I love how I could vent to any of you and you would give me your full attention and offer advice. If I ever had a bad day, one or more of you would come up and check on me. I am truly grateful for all the authentic relationships I have made over the past five years.
Cherish each moment that you have with each other, the good and the bad, because the years fly by.
To my fellow seniors,
We made it! Thank you for allowing me to be a part of the best senior class. I absolutely loved living at “The Five” with all of you. Nellie, you are the master chef of the house. Mad-dawg, you are the amazing artist of the house. Maya, you are one of the best dancers I have ever seen. Ev, you are going to change the world through teaching, and I cannot wait to see you in action. Every single one of you and are beautiful on the inside and out and I will miss living with you. I will miss the dance parties, movie nights, and cooking brunch together.
Washington,
Once again, thank you for every single opportunity you have given me. Thank you for the family feel of my team. Thank you for such an amazing coaching and support staff that helped keep us in one piece. Thank you for allowing me to attend your world-class university and receive an undergraduate degree and a master’s degree. Washington, you will forever have a special place in my heart. I will forever be grateful for all of the memories, relationships, and lessons you have provided me with.
P.S. Once a Dawg, always a Dawg. I will forever bleed purple and gold.
Yours truly,
Kristyn Hoffa
