Corona Quarantine seems to be coming to an end this month for some states here in Region 5 & others may be stuck in the darkness forever, however here at the Region 5 Insider we will continue to bring you coverage of the greatest Region in the country no matter what the situation. This week we should all be coming off the intense high that is JO Nationals and I am sure another Region 5 Super Team win, but instead its just another Tuesday in May reminiscing of JO Nationals past. As we look fondly back at what might have been, we shall look forward today with the continuation of our 20 Questions Series.
Our next athlete is a JO National Qualifier & 1 of 6 children who ALL do competitive gymnastics at Legacy Elite in Illinois. Amy Wozniak, who excels on bars, is a multiple Regional & State Uneven Bars Champion. Amy, like many of her Legacy Elite teammates, is a beautifully Uneven Bars swinger she seems very comfortable on the event that she says comes naturally to her. What I love about Amy is that she always has a smile on her face while she is on the competition Floor, she really seems to be enjoying what she is doing while performing. I cannot wait to see what the 
future holds for this young athlete, she has a few more years left with us here in Region 5 & for me she is “one to watch” in the next few years. So, while most of us are doing online gymnastics from our basements and backyards alone, Amy has her very own in-house team to train with which is incredibly cool and I am sure tons of fun! Let’s get to know Amy a little better as we look to the future of Region 5 Gymnastics and hopefully a return to normal training soon.
How did you get into gymnastics? How old were you? I started gymnastics when I was 2 when my mom signed me up for a Mommy and Me class. She was a gymnast when she was younger and also coached gymnastics at the time, so she knew that she wanted to get her kids involved with the sport.
What is your favorite event? Why? My favorite event is bars because it is the event that comes most naturally to me. I also love the feeling of finally getting a new skill or catching a release.
Favorite Skill to train/compete? Why?
My favorite skill to train is a full out dismount off bars because it has always been a goal of mine to get an E dismount, and I think it’s a fun skill to do.
My favorite skill to compete is a bail because I have done it for a long time and have gotten confident with it over the years.
Dream Skill? My dream skill is a one and a half yurchenko on vault.
What is your favorite part of gymnastics? My favorite part of gymnastics is going on travel meets and exploring different places of the country with my best friends!
What college do you plan on attending? I am currently undecided.
What is your favorite meet to compete at? Why? My favorite meet to compete at is definety JO Nationals because the energy is so high and everyone comes together for Region 5. Also, I have made so many amazing memories and friends that will last a lifetime.
Biggest accomplishment in gymnastics so far? My biggest 
accomplishment in gymnastics is qualifying to JO Nationals!
What is your favorite Region 5 Insider Feature or Series? I love the annual blooper video and the all access series to see how other gyms train.
What kinds of things really make you laugh? I laugh the hardest at inside jokes between me and my best friends.
3 Things you could not live without? I could not live without my friends, family, and God
If you could be any animal, what animal would you be and why? I would be a dolphin because they live in tropical places, are really smart, and can do cool tricks.
Thoughts on the 2019-2020 Season ending like it did? At first, I was shocked and really sad especially that post season was cancelled. I was 
especially upset the days that state and regionals would have been, but I am trying to stay optimistic and turn the situation into something positive!
What are you doing to keep up your training during Corona Quarantine? My coaches are leading Zoom workouts Mon-Fri. We are also having many guest speakers talk to our team about various subjects including staying positive and their past expiriances in gymnastics. I also I been going on lots of runs, bike rides, and spending time outide on our backyard trampoline with my younger sibilings.
What do you miss most about gymnastics during this time? I miss being able to see my best friends everyday and the feeling of accomplishment when I reach a goal of mine!
What is the first thing you want to do once you can get back to gym & training? The first thing I want to do is put my grips on and do bars because it is impossible to recreate this event at home! I also know that I will have to focus on basics and conditioning so I can be stronger when I start the harder skills again.
Most embarrassing meet moment or gymnastics moment? Once 
when I was a level 5, I was very sick and weak because I had just found out that I had Celiac Disease . I was so unprepared to compete that I fell on every event! I started the meet by peeling off bars which was traumatic to me at the time. On beam, I fell 3 times including getting back up on the beam. The rest of the meet went just as badly and I ended up getting a 29.0 AA.
Do you have a nickname? If so what Is the story behind it? My nickname is Ames just because it is short for Amy.
Which athletes (any sport) do you respect the most and why? I respect and am inspired by Amy Purdy. She is a double leg amputee who medaled at the 2014 Sochi Paralympic Games for snowboading. I admire how she persevered through so many difficulties and still acceled at her sport!
Something you learned from Gymnastics that you will take with 
you? Gymnastics has definitely taught me disicpline and hard work.
Most Memorable Gymnastics or Nationals Moment? My most memorable gymnastics moment was when I got 1stAA and qualified to Level 9 Eastern Nationals. After I missed Nationals my first year of level 9, I was determined to qualify my second year. When I ended up getting 1stAA I was so surprised and proud.
What is the most valuable piece of advice or wisdom your coach has given you? My coach told me to focus on getting 1% better everyday, and in the end these small goals will add up to my larger goals.
Bonus Question: Tell me something interesting about yourself…. I am one of 6 kids and we all do gymnastics! My older sister Sarah(17) is a level 10 with me and Megan(12) is a level 9. Hannah, Rachel, and Brian(7) are triplets and are all in level 4.
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Check out Amy’s JO Nationals Gallery Below
