With teammates behind her, the West Chester gymnast makes history with victory at the national championship

WEST CHESTER, Pa. (CBS) — At West Chester University’s gymnastics center, athletes twist, turn, tumble and defy the laws of gravity.

Junior Jordan Coleman has been studying gymnastics since she was 2 years old.

“It’s just such a big part of my life,” she said.

Earlier this month, she made history by winning the national uneven bars championship, becoming only the second student in school history to win a title.

“It just means all my sacrifice and hard work – it was all worth it,” Coleman said.

Her routine included handstands and associated releases, capped off with a stuck landing.

“A huge accomplishment,” said West Chester gymnastics head coach Barbara Cordova. “It’s super hard.”

Cordova, who was also a gymnast from West Chester, said what made the competition extra special was that the entire squad qualified for the team finals for the first time, competing against Division I schools.

“This is a team sport, Cordova said. “We all work together to get to that place, and because Jordan can do that, it just reminds other people, ‘Hey, we can do big things, even if we’re a Division II -school. ”

The team placed fourth overall, but senior Carolina Cascadden said it only matters.

“It has been a major goal for this team and this school to qualify for the team finals and it is simply so rewarding to be a part of it,” Cascadden.

Together, the athletes say they are not done yet and set the bar very high.

“Go big,” Coleman said. “Never hold back.”