As December is coming to a close and the New Year is fast approaching we only have a few Tuesdays left in 2020 to feature some of our most talented Region 5 athletes. Our next 2Q feature athlete is a talented 15 year old, from Zanesville Gymnastics in Ohio, Adyson Wahl. Ady, as she is known to most people, has aspirations to one day compete at the collegiate level and continue her academics at a D1 University. Ady, who is entering her 4th season as a Level 10, has some pretty impressive skills all over the gym. One of my favorite skills I saw from Ady was performed at a Region 5 Training camp a few years ago, a back handspring Arabian on the Balance Beam, it is a bummer she has yet to perform this skill in competition. However, Ady has upgraded her Beam routine to include a triple flight Layout Layout series and a side somi. Ady is a power gymnast which absolutely shows on the Floor, where she not only throws a huge full-in, but one of my favorite tumbling passes a front thru to double back. In 2020 Adyson was on my list of “one’s to watch” from Ohio, with impressive skills and cleaned up execution, I definitely had her making her debut trip to Nationals in 2020….COVID had other plans. Hopefully, things can turn around in 2021 and all of these talented young athletes can get their shot at the 2021 National Championships in Dayton Beach Florida. So, let’s get to know Adyson Wahl a little better as she continues her training and readies herself to make a run at her first Region 5 Dream Team spot in 2021.

How did you get into Gymnastics? How old were you? Before I was born, my mom coached gymnastics and when she had me she would take me to practices with her.  I was always running around in the gym and climbing on whatever I could find.  When I was 2 years old my parents signed me up for mommy and me classes.  I was a very energetic child so gymnastics was the place for me!

What is your favorite event? Why? My favorite event is/has always been floor because I’m what you call a powerhouse gymnast.  I love floor because it is a way to express yourself when you are doing your floor routine.

Favorite Skill? Dream Skill? My favorite skill is my ray on bars because it feels like I’m flying every time I do it. It is one of my newer skills, so every time I catch the bar, I get butterflies in my stomach.  Dream skill would be a double layout on bars.

Favorite part of Gymnastics? Why? My favorite part of gymnastics is going to camps and meeting new people.  Camps are my favorite because when it is always such a positive atmosphere. I love making new friendships that last a lifetime.

Biggest Accomplishment in Gymnastics so far? My biggest accomplishment in gymnastics so far is winning Level 10 all around at the Chicago Style meet in 2019.  I had a great time at that meet and it felt so good to win 1^st place at a large meet.

1^st thing you did when you were able to get back into the gym? I told my coaches and teammates how much I missed them.

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. Being out for about 3 ½ months made me realize how important gymnastics is to me.  Sometimes we don’t realize how much we love something until we can’t do it

anymore.  In quarantine, I really stayed up on my endurance and weight training and that really helped me out when I got back into the gym.  One of the struggles that I faced was not being able to reach my goal of qualifying for Nationals.  I was so crushed because I knew that I was so prepared for it.  It was different adjusting to covid but I made the best out of a bad situation.

Most embarrassing meet or training meet? The most embarrassing meet for me was Circle of the Stars 2020 meet.  I was just getting over being sick the week before and still very weak.  After my floor routine, I saluted and then ran straight off the floor to the restroom because I thought I was going to get sick.  I was so embarrassed. 

Something you have learned from Gymnastics that you will take with you? I’ve learned to never give up on the hard things, to dream big and never let anybody tell you that something is too hard to achieve. 

Who is your biggest role model? Why? My biggest role models are definitely my parents.  They’ve shown me so much support and I admire that so much.  My mom and dad are always helping others in times of need and I strive to be like that every day.  They have shown me what having a relationship with Jesus really looks like.  I am very thankful for my parents and I wouldn’t be the same without them.

What is something that sets your gym and/or your team part? My gym is located a small town, which makes us a strong family.  There is always someone in your corner cheering you on and my coaches take a real interest in every gymnast.  The truly want to see you succeed. 

What is your role on your Level 10 Team or you role in your gym in general? I am 1 of 3 level 10’s at my gym and I see us as being leaders.  We have many talented girls coming up and I’m excited to see where the future takes them.  Especially, my two little sisters- Chloe (level 6) and Macie (level 4). 

Most memorable Gymnastics moment. One of my most memorable gymnastics moments was training alongside of Gabby Douglas.  I trained at Buckeye for a few years, and during that time Gabby was training for the Olympics.  I’m grateful for my time at Buckeye, but the 1 ½ hour drive became too much for my family.

How would you explain the year 2020 to your future children/grandchildren?I would tell my future children/grandchildren that 2020 was the year I thought all my dreams would come true, but it was the year I appreciated everything I have.  Things can change in a moment, so be grateful for what you have.

What is the most valuable piece of advice or wisdom your coaches have given you? My Coach Mallory tells me not to be so hard on myself and to make each practice count.

How did you stay motivated during your COVID Quarantine time out of the gym? Something I did to stay motivated during quarantine time was watching a lot of college gymnastics on line.  It helped me stay focused on what I strive to achieve one day.

Do you have a nickname? If so what is it? What is the story behind it? My name is Adyson, but everyone calls me Ady.

What really makes you laugh? My little sister Macie is always doing something funny to make me laugh.  There is NEVER a dull moment with her. 

If you could have any super power what would it be? Why? I would want to be able to time travel because it would be pretty cool to go back or forward in time.

What is a question not on this list that should have been? Add your question we should of asked you and then answer it.

*What do you want to be when you grow up? Why? I want to become a physical therapist because I want to help people get better after they have had something happen to them. The physical therapist I have worked with have been very encouraging and I want to encourage others too.

Bonus Question: Tell us something interesting about yourself………..At my church I sing along side of my dad.  I love to sing and especially with him!