Grand Strand gymnast seeing ‘Ivy’

Every day tends to begin in a similar fashion for Caroline Warren — with a new goal.

During her career as a gymnast, those simple goals became a checklist of accomplishments. She has earned gold medals against the best the Southeastern U.S. has to offer, while flashing her versatility in helping her team to a state gymnastics title.

Surrounded by a large portion of the Lowcountry Preparatory School student body last week, Warren was asked how she had become so good at her craft.

“Hard work, most definitely,” she said. “Hard work beats out talent when talent doesn’t work hard. No matter how talented you are, you can’t rest on that to get you by.”

Getting her pick of the litter in terms of college choice, Warren ultimately opted for Brown University. The local gymnast officially signed during an event at Terry & Don’s Gymnastics in Socastee a few weeks ago. However, she also held a signing ceremony last Wednesday at Lowcountry Prep, sharing the moment with schoolmates, teachers, family and friends.

“I knew I wanted to go to a school that valued academics, as well as athletics,” she said. “And Brown is the No. 1 school in the NCAA for academic achievement. So that was a major component for me, but when I went on my official visit back in September and met with the team and coaches, there was a sense of camaraderie and sportsmanship. Right then, I knew it was the school and university for me.”

Initially delving into gymnastics at the age of 9, Warren won gold medals on the uneven bars as well as the all-around competition at last year’s Southeastern U.S. Regional championships. She also claimed a three golds and two silver medals at the 2015 Hilton Head Invitational gymnastics meet.

Warren also led her team to a Level 9 Team S.C. gymnastics title in 2014. At the meet, she earned individual gold in the uneven bars, balance beam and top score in the all-around.

Still, excellence in athletics alone is not enough to earn an Ivy League scholarship.

Warren’s prowess in the classroom bears its share of the reason for her being considered by Brown. Tops in her class in terms of grade point average (GPA) at Lowcountry Prep, a perfect score on the written portion of the ACT played quite the role.

“There are times in which we wonder ‘who’s daughter is this?’” said Warren’s father, Andrew. “It is not like she just rolls out of bed into this. She really works at it.

“During the week, she spends over 20 hours a week training. Academically, it’s not just As, she makes 100 in many of her classes. A 98 is a bad class … she holds herself to a high standard and pushes herself not just in sport, but in school.”

At Brown, Warren expects to major either in communications or international relations. In the meantime, she finds plenty of work left to do — in the gym and classroom.

“There’s still a lot of training, a lot of school work left,” she said. “But I’m eager for what lies ahead as well.”

Recruiting news and notes

Myrtle Beach varsity basketball standouts Nia Sumpter and Kiana Adderton signed with Wright State University. The senior duo verbally committed to the school this past August. … Waccamaw High boys golf standout Patrick Golden signed his letter of intent to attend College of Charleston on Monday. The senior led the Warriors to a state title this past spring, shooting a state record 13-under-131 at True Blue Golf Course. … Waccamaw junior pitcher and outfielder Jaret Montenery committed to play baseball at Winthrop earlier this week. … Several area football standouts earned college offers this past week. Limestone offered Aynor all-purpose man Caleb Jenerette along with Conway linebacker Jonah Booth. Charleston Southern also was in town, offering Conway offensive lineman Raiqwon O’Neal. Appalachian State is also highly intrigued by O’Neal, along with Yale, Coastal Carolina and Charlotte. … North Myrtle Beach wide receiver and defensive back Tyler Gore paid a visit to East Carolina this past weekend. His teammate, kicker Andrew Smith, made his second trip to Raleigh, N.C., last Saturday to N.C. State. … Myrtle Beach defensive end Sean McGonigal and Socastee quarterback Hunter Illing were at South Carolina for their tilt with Western Carolina this past weekend.

This story was originally published November 22, 2016 at 4:24 PM with the headline "Grand Strand gymnast seeing ‘Ivy’."