Welcome to the official start of the 2020-2021 season!!!!!!!!!!!!! Even though most gyms start their new season preparation in the summer time, for me when school starts in September that truly is the beginning to a new Gymnastics Season and we all know here at the Region 5 Insider we live our life according to Gymnastics Seasons. Not only is it the beginning of a new season, but also our 20 Questions Series. Questions are changed & updated as we compile our lists of featured athletes.
Our first 20Q athlete for the new season is Josey Kiefer of Cincinnati Gymnastics Academy (CGA). Josey, is tiny but packs a huge punch on the gymnastics floor, her roundoff double full beam dismount not only earned her the 2020 Best Stick Yahtzee Award but also the 2019 Eastern National Level 9 Balance Beam Title. Josey, who will graduate high school in 2024, has such poise and 
confidence in her gymnastics. I absolutely watching this athlete on the competition floor, her floor routine is the absolute cutest! It was a bummer that the 2020 season was cute short because Josey definitely would of been “one to watch” for JO Nationals. Heading into 2020-2021 I am excited to see what the future holds for this talented young athlete. Let’s get to know Josey Kiefer a little better as we start the trek towards the 2021 JO National Championships.
How did you get into Gymnastics? How old were you? When I was young I was always active so my mom put me into gymnastics. I was about 3!
What is your favorite event? Why? My favorite event is Beam. Beam is my favorite event because it comes easy to me.
Favorite Skill? Dream Skill? My favorite skill is a back handspring layout layout and my dream skill would be any release skill of bars.
Favorite part of Gymnastics? Why? My favorite part of Gymnastics is bonding with my teammates and just having a good time while at practice.
Biggest Accomplishment in Gymnastics so far? My biggest accomplishment in Gymnastics so far was winning beam at level 9 nationals and getting 2nd all-around.
1s t thing you did when you were able to get back into the gym? The first thing I did when I got back to the gym was a back handspring on beam.
Talk about returning to training post COVID, being out for so long (how long?) The struggles, successes, how long it took to get skills back and how it was adjusting to our new normal. My gym was out for about 2 months. I struggled with a lot of fear. It took me about 1-2 months to get all of my skills back. It was hard to adjust at the beginning but after awhile I got used to it.
Most embarrassing meet or training meet? My most embarrassing meet moment was at the Luau level 9 meet on bars.
Something you have learned from Gymnastics that you will take with you? Something I have learned from Gymnastics that I will take with me is being thankful that I get to do the sport I want to do and also being thankful for my talent.
Who is your biggest role model? Why? My biggest role model would be Amelia Hundley. She is my role model because she worked so hard to meet her dreams/goals and she is so uplifting!
What is something that sets your gym and/or your team part? Honestly I don’t think there is a lot that sets my gym apart because in the end we are one big family and we all love each other!
What is your role on your Level 10 Team or you role in your gym in general? My role on my Level 10 team is to be a good teammate and to have a good attitude in the gym. Most memorable Gymnastics moment. Winning beam at nationals and getting 2nd all-around.
How would you explain the year 2020 to your future
children/grandchildren? Very complicated/ sad year because we couldn’t see family and or friends. The most we could do was talk to each other on our phones.
What is the most valuable piece of advice or wisdom your coaches have given you? The most valuable piece of advice or wisdom that my coaches have given to me is to always be thankful for your talent and what you have in life because other people have it harder in life than you do. Also to be respectful to others.
How did you stay motivated during your COVID Quarantine time out of the gym? I stayed motivated during COVID Quarantine by Knowing that if I didn’t do this I might not be able to get back into my sport. And taking this time to make myself stronger.
Do you have a nickname? If so what is it? What is the story behind it? I actually have many nicknames but I go by Jo by most people. It is just easier to say.
What really makes you laugh? When me my teammates and coaches are having a good time in the gym and someone ends up tripping over something! That really makes me laugh.
If you could have any super power what would it be? Why? If I could have any super power mine would be to have no fear. This is because If i have a fear in gymnastics I would not be afraid of anything!
Bonus Question: Tell us something interesting about yourself..……… Something interesting about me is that i live on a farm. I have basically every animal during the summer except a couple. I show cows and pigs at my county fair!
