Tuesday, March 14, 2000

Interview by Russell E. Moore

What made you visit and then choose to attend The University of Alabama?

I decided to visit here after being recruited by Sarah, David, and especially Bryan (since I knew him before he even coached at Michigan). I then chose to come here after I met the team and really saw what everything was like down here.

What made you visit and then choose to attend the University of Alabama?

• two former teammates had attended this university
• highly recognized school for gymnastics and academics
• presented themselves well to my coaches, family, and me

You came to Bama from Cypress Academy in Houston, Texas...the same gym that produced former Bama All-American Kimbo Bonaventura. Did you know her when she competed there? Did she have any influence on your decision to come here?

Yes, I did know Kimbo and train with her for a year or so before she came to Bama. There was no direct influence from her in my decision to come to the University of Alabama.

What has been your favorite memory from your collegiate gymnastics career so far?

I must say that last weekend when we competed against Georgia. Even though I scared the crowd, my coaches, the team, and myself with the incident on vault the feeling throughout the team was incredible. We have not had so much fun, teamwork, and excitement within ourselves as we had that night, along with the wonderful crowd that always supports us. The win over the number one ranked Georgia Gym Dogs was the icing on the cake.

Against Georgia, you injured yourself but got right back up and scored a perfect 10 on bars before retiring for the evening. How did it feel to do so well on the bars so soon after a scary moment on your vaulting landing? The crowd was so unbelievably loud when you finished your bars routine. Did they help you overcome the mental and physical aspects of "getting back on the horse," so to speak?

Once everything got focused on the next event, what had just happened on vault was in the back of my mind. I felt that as long as I was able to walk that I could compete for the team and get my job done. The way that we as a team and crowd pulled together made everything easier for me as well as the team. With all this positivity around us there was no mental or physical aspect to overcome.

How did it feel to win the NCAA Balance Beam Championship last year?

Wonderful! It was the biggest surprise.

What do you think of those fabulous "YMCA Dads"? Do they help relax y'all right before floor?

The Dads are wonderful and I love every moment of their entertainment. I think it does relax us in a sense that floor is a time to have fun and it puts us in that mood.

What do you see yourself doing in 10 years?

I see myself starting my career in the medical field and starting a family. You never know I might be next up for Sarah's job by then! :)