AUBURN, Ala. - As Auburn gymnastics’ only senior, Hannah Hagle has spent her four years on the Plains growing not only as an athlete, but as a leader and person beyond the sport.
“I really wanted to be valued as a person first and then as an athlete,” Hagle said. “Talking to the coaches at this program, that’s something that I felt like I was going to get here.”
Over her career, Hagle has taken on leadership roles both within the gymnastics program and across Auburn Athletics. She currently serves as president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), where she works with other student-athletes to organize community service opportunities and leadership initiatives.
“My role is to help athletes get a lot of community service things done, and we collaborate and rely on one another to get ideas about what to do for community service events and to connect with companies and other leadership roles to really develop us as not just athletes, but as people,” Hagle said.
She credits gymnastics for helping her grow socially and step confidently into leadership roles.
“Being part of the gymnastics program has definitely set me up to be SAAC president because I feel like I can be very social and you need to have that to be in that role,” Hagle said. “Gymnastics has helped me come out of my shell and be myself and create an environment that is open for everyone to collaborate on ideas.”
Hagle emphasizes the importance of perspective when it comes to advice for younger athletes.
“Comparison is the thief of all joy,” Hagle said. “Your journey is not going to be the same as someone else’s journey and that’s okay. We only get four years of this and sometimes you forget in the process that you’re supposed to be having fun.”
One of Hagle’s most vivid memories came early in her career.
“My most memorable moment would have to be when I made beam lineup for the first time my freshman year,” Hagle said. “We were in Kentucky, and coach Jeff was calling out the lineup. I heard my name get called, and I remember a sigh of relief, but I was also just so excited.”
That moment set the stage for what followed.
“The last meet of my freshman year was probably the best beam routine of my entire life,” Hagle remembered. “We were at regionals and one judge flashed a 10.0. You go from wanting to be in the lineup, to being in the lineup, to a judge flashing a 10.0.”
Outside of gymnastics, Hagle has been deeply shaped by her faith and community at Auburn.
“I think as the years have kind of gone by, it's kind of almost forced me to have a better relationship with the Lord because as you go through college, you go through so many changes, so you're having to adapt to so many things,” Hagle said.
During her junior year, Hagle faced non-gymnastics related health issues which caused struggles.
“During that time, it not only challenged my relationship and my faith with the Lord, but it made me realize I really need to put all of my time and energy into this,” she said.
She explained how her health issues helped her turn her focus onto growing closer to the Lord and how it has blessed her life.
“I am not understanding this on my own,” Hagle said. “I need to give this all to the Lord; I’m surrendering it all. I think by doing that, I’m seeing so much. It feels like a benefit because how much the Lord has blessed my life now.”
As she prepares for graduation, Hagle looks ahead with excitement.
“My major is exercise science and I’ll be attending occupational therapy school somewhere in Texas,” Hagle, a San Augustine, Texas native, said.
After four years on the Plains, Hagle leaves Auburn with lasting memories, strong relationships and lessons that will carry far beyond the gym.
On The Plains: Hannah Hagle
As Auburn gymnastics’ only senior, Hannah Hagle has spent her four years on the Plains growing not only as an athlete, but as a leader and person beyond the sport.
