University of Georgia Athletics
Mary Beth Box Is One Tough Cookie
March 12, 2015 | Gymnastics
By SK Bowen
Fans know Mary Beth Box for several things: the moonwalk on the beam, the wave she starts in her floor routine or maybe just by her infectious energy in her routines. Box's coaches and teammates know her by her nicknames - "Boom Box" or "Boo" - and as the gymnast who loves what she does. Head coach Danna Durante, knows her as something else, "one tough cookie."
Box is a junior from Calhoun, Georgia who trained with the Cartersville Twisters Club. She always knew she wanted to be a collegiate gymnast, but didn't know exactly where. Box looked at schools such as Yale and Eastern Michigan. But in the end, it was her older sister's love for the Georgia Gymnastics that drew Box to love Georgia. Mariel Box was also a walk-on for the Gym Dogs from 2009-12.
Box has continued to improve and contribute more to the team each season.
Box performed in two floor routines in her freshman year. In Box's first collegiate floor routine, she scored a 9.9.
Her sophomore year, she competed on beam in all 15 meets and floor in 13 meets. At one point, she ranked No. 22 nationally on beam. She also earned first team All-America honor on beam in the NCAA prelims by scoring a 9.9. In the NCAA individual event finals, Box tied for third on beam.
This year, Box is currently ranked No. 23 in the country on beam. She has set new career-highs on both beam and floor. Box scored a 9.95 against No. 5 Alabama on beam to tie for first, and last week with the meet tied and one routine to go, Box registered a career-high 9.95 on floor to secure the win over No. 18 Arkansas. Box has also earned a total of five event titles on beam and floor.
"That's what performing should look like with her confidence, sharpness and crispness," says Durante. "She just loves to perform. It's infectious."
"When it really boils down to it, I just really like what I do. I enjoy it and I am genuinely happy," says Box. "I guess I can just really express that well when I compete."
Watching Box perform in meets and seeing her continued improvement, it would be hard to guess what she struggles with in gymnastics.
"There's the physical part where you are actually doing the gymnastics and then there's the mental toughness behind it - and that's (mental toughness) been tough," says Box, "It's been a process but I've come such a long way since my freshman year.
Durante says that Box has grown in maturity and confidence over the past three years. She says she can spot in Box's face when she is experiencing a dip in confidence. Durante says she will call Box out on it by giving her a certain look and calling her Mary Beth, instead of her nickname "Boo." This is like a parent calling their child by their full name when they are in trouble.
"She just flips a switch and turns it around and goes and does what she is capable of which is pretty awesome," says Durante. "That takes a lot of discipline to be able to work on that."
Next time you watch Box compete on beam, pay attention to Durante and Box right before the routine. Durante and Box block everything else out while Durante helps slow Box's breathing. Durante says that's her way of reminding her that Box is one tough cookie and that she knows that Box has got it.
The No. 10-ranked Georgia will compete against undefeated and No. 4-ranked Utah in Stegeman Coliseum on Saturday at 4 pm. It will be the Gymdogs' last regular season meet.
"Really for Box, the goal stays the same," says Durante. "Just keep doing what you do, which is provide a spark, enjoy what you are doing and light it up for your team."
SK Bowen in sophomore from Tifton, Ga., who is majoring in digital and broadcast journalism and marketing. Bowen, who also is pursuing a Grady Sports Media certificate, is in her first year as a student assistant with the UGA Sports Communications office.
"Coming Attractions" is a weekly feature published on georgiadogs.com spotlighting a UGA student-athlete who will be competing in a key home event during the upcoming weekend. Previous stories include:
August 28 - David Andrews (football vs. Clemson)
September 4 - Carly Hamilton (cross country in Bulldog Invitational)
September 11 - Tirah Leau (volleyball in Benson Hospitality Invitational)
September 18 - Mariel Gutierrez (soccer vs. Vanderbilt)
September 25 - Toby Johnson (football vs. Tennessee)
October 2 - Emma Sonnett (soccer vs. Tennessee)
October 9 - Jared Markham (swimming & diving vs. Alabama)
October 16 - Gaby Smiley (volleyball vs. Kentucky and Tennessee)
October 23 - Bella Hartley (soccer vs. Kentucky)
October 30 - Olivia Ball & Ian Forlini (swimming & diving vs. Florida)
November 6 - Megan Spencer (volleyball vs. Arkansas)
November 13 - Kolton Houston (football vs. Auburn)
November 20 - Yante Maten (men's basketball vs. Troy & FAU)
November 27 - Damian Swann (football vs. Georgia Tech)
December 4 - Marjorie Butler (women's basketball vs. Michigan State)
December 18 - Tiaria Griffin (women's basketball vs. Furman)
December 25 - International Bulldogs (men's basketball vs. Mercer)
January 7 - Maddie Locus (women's swimming & diving vs. Texas)
January 14 - Shacobia Barbee (women's basketball vs. Vanderbilt)
January 21 - Caroline Brinson (women's tennis in ITA Kickoff Weekend)
January 28 - Nathan Pasha (men's tennis vs. UCLA and Southern Cal)
February 4 - Sara Parr (equestrian vs. South Carolina)
February 11 - Cortni Emanuel (softball in Bulldog Invitational)
February 18 - Chelsea Davis (gymnastics vs. Alabama)
February 25 - Hannah King (women's tennis vs. LSU & Texas A&M)
March 4 - Wayne Montgomery (men's tennis vs. Texas A&M & LSU)