Our next 20 questions athlete is 4 time JO National Qualifier Dani Petrousek from Gymnastics Academy of Rockford in Illinois. Dani, who is a solid and confident competitor, always looks like she is having a great time on the competition floor. She throws some big skills and has clean lines especially on the balance beam. 
Dani, who is a great team leader and role model, has a super fun personality! It was a joy to rotate with her and the rest of the Senior A Dream Team during the first session of JO Nationals! she kept us laughing at 8am especially when we spotted Chris Brooks! Dani has a few more years left with us here in Region 5, she will certainly be missed when she graduates, however she will be staying in Region 5 to continue her gymnastics career. Lets get to know Dani a little better as she heads into summer training and gets ready to make a run at her 5th JO Nationals next season.
How did you get into gymnastics? How old were you? I went to my cousin’s birthday party at a gym when I was 3 and I loved it there so my mom put me in classes
What is your favorite event? My favorite event is bars
What is your favorite skill to train and/or compete? My favorite skill to train is a Maloney
What is your dream skill? My dream skill is a double layout dismount off bars
What is your favorite part of gymnastics? My favorite part of gymnastics is competing
What college do you plan on attending? I will be attending Western Michigan 
University and competing on the Gymnastics Team.
What is your favorite meet to compete at? My favorite meet to compete at is Nationals
Biggest accomplishment in gymnastics so far? My biggest accomplishment in gymnastics so far is making it to nationals and receiving a scholarship to compete for WMU
Who do you admire most in the sport of gymnastics? I most admire Nastia Liukin
What is your favorite Region 5 Insider Series or Feature? I like the new Mind of a…. series so far (Look for a new one coming up Monday June 11th)
Enjoy our content help us out 
What is your go to playlist or song before competitions? My playlist always changes before meets but it usually always includes Shawn Mendes
If you were stranded on a deserted island what would you make sure you had? I would bring matches so I could easily have fire to stay warm, water, and a tent for shelter
If you could be an animal, what animal would you be and Why? I’d be a bird because I want to fly
Who is your favorite Super Hero? My favorite superhero is Batman
Do you have any pre-meet rituals or superstitions? I don’t really do anything specific before meets
What do you like to do outside of the gym? Outside of the gym I like to spend time with my friends
What is your most embarrassing gymnastics or meet moment? My most embarrassing moment at a meet was when I messed up my floor pattern
If you did not do gymnastics, what other sport do you think you would try? If I wasn’t a gymnast I would probably do volleyball or track
Which athletes (any sport) do you respect the most and why? I respect Aly Raisman because she was a very hard worker and has so much love for gymnastics
What is the most valuable piece of advice or wisdom you coach has given you?My coaches have always told me since I was little “what you think is what you do”
Get all your workout essentials in our R5 Insider Amazon Store
Check out Dani’s JO Nationals Gallery Below
[wonderplugin_carousel id=”67″]
