March 25, 2008

1) How did you get started in gymnastics?

My parents enrolled me in a gymboree class when I three. We have home videos of me pushing the other kids out of the way to walk on the balance beams and to take a turn on the trampoline, so I'm guessing I really liked it and they enrolled me in gymnastics classes.

2) What is your favorite and least favorite event? And why?

My favorite event is bars because it comes most natural to me and because it's really fun to swing. It's like none other feeling you'll ever experience. My least favorite event is the balance beam because it's unforgiving when you miss and the most nerve racking in meets to compete.

3) What do you like most about being an athlete at UNC?

I really like the camaraderie between the varsity athletes. Growing up gymnastics was competitive through club and not at the high school level, so I never experienced what is was like to be part of an athletic department. The teams at Chapel Hill support each other by coming to other teams competitions and I like the feeling of the sense of community we create for each other.

4) Of all your teammates, past and present, who have you learned the most from? And why?

The teammate I learned the most from was Miranda Ross, a senior that graduated last year. I have a lot of respect for her because of the obstacles she's overcome. I respect her work ethic the most and she's made me realize the importance of doing gymnastics for yourself and not other people. She may have not contributed as much as a competitor compared to others, but she wanted to win and cared about her teammates more than any of us. She was selfless.

5) What is the best advice you have ever received?

The best advice I've received was from my coach Penny. I've been told my whole life to enjoy my gymnastics career because it'll be over before I knew it. I never really listened to or believed them until Penny told us at the beginning of the year to enjoy our last year because it'll go by so fast. She was right. But the last couple months I've taken the time to enjoy practices, traveling with my team, and just the opportunity to compete. I know that when I'm done I'll be sad but won't have any regrets because I've loved doing gymnastics this year.

My proudest gymnastics moment at Carolina was winning the EAGL Championships my freshman year. I remember singing our fight song so loud after we found out we won. Whenever I wear that championship ring I get the same feeling I had that day.

7) Do you have any pre-meet rituals or superstitions?

I used to be obsessive about making sure my hair was perfect. I've calmed down a little but my hair is still usually a helmet of hairspray. I am a big visualizer, especially the night before and during downtime at meets. Visualizing really helped me with the stress of going from competing once a month in club to every weekend in college.

8) Since this is your last year competing in college, what do you think you will miss the most?

Gymnastics has been my whole life ever since I can remember. Between traveling, practices, and competitions, your teammates become your family. I'm going to miss how it feels to be exhausted after a great practice, the adrenaline high after nailing a routine, and just being with my teammates who love gymnastics just as much as I do.

9) Who in your life do you admire the most? And why?

My brother Brett is the person I admire the most in my life. We've become really close since I left for college and somewhere in there he stopped being my little brother and became my best friend. I admire him because he's intelligent, level headed, and after I talk to him I always feel better about myself and the about uncertainty of where I will be post graduation.

10) What are your post-graduation plans?

Eventually I want to get a Masters of Public Health, but I'm not sure exactly the area of public health I want to pursue. What I should be doing is working for a year or two in the public health field, but I really want to live abroad for a while. I studied abroad in Botswana last summer, and right now I'm trying to find any way to go back to Africa and break even financially. Anyone want to sponsor me?