Q) Tell us a little bit about yourself in general
A) I love people, especially children and I love to see people happy. I really enjoy friendships and sharing close times with others.
Q) How old were you when you started gymnastics? Where? Coaches?
A) I was four and lived in Virginia Beach, VA. Had many coaches; Mary Purvis, Gene Alexin.
Q) When did you determine that you were talented enough to compete nationally/internationally?
A) I just worked hard and moved up as my coaches saw necessary. It wasn't so much a decision; just years of hard work accumulating to that level of gymnastics.
Q) Do you have a favorite gymnast? Who? What is it about that gymnast that you like in particular?
A) My sister. She is also a college gymnast (Senior) at Southeast Missouri State. She has always been an inspiration to me as well as my biggest fan.
Q) What is your favorite apparatus? Why?
A) Beam. Because it's challenging, but fun and I love to be perfect so beam gives me that opportunity of balance and perfection together.
Q) What was you best competition performance?
A) At NCAA's 1998 - Team night Super Six, I had a great Floor routine and finished up on beam with the best routine of my life. It was an awesome experience.
Q) Favorite competition location?
A) At home here! I love the crowds and I love the support - it is something that no where else could compare to.
Q) Interesting travel experiences through gymnastics competitions?
A) I went to Arizona once for a competition and went hiking on a mountain and then went in a jeep on all these trails. My whole team went and we had a blast.
Q) Tell us about your collegiate recruiting experience. Who recruited you, how many visits did you take and at what point did you decide to attend the University of Alabama?
A) I was recruited by many schools - mainly Alabama, Florida, Kentucky, LSU, Auburn and Utah (also UMass, Penn. State and Southwest Missouri State). I visited Alabama, Florida, Kentucky and LSU - had a trip to Utah but canceled it after coming to Bama. I wanted to go to U of A before I took any of my trips and I loved it even more when I came on my trip.
Q) What skills are you currently practicing and do you expect to contribute on each apparatus this season?
A) I am learning a new vault which hopefully will contribute this year - yurchenko, like Gwen's vault. I am working on many things on the other events and will be ready to compete for season.
Q) What are your academic and athletic goals for the upcoming season?
A) I would like to get a higher GPA then I did last year and learn from my college experience. I want to have a successful year in the gym and contribute in as many ways as possible.
Q) Do you have a best and worst experience involving gymnastics?
A) Best - UCLA this last year - 3rd place team! It was an awesome year. |
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