Our next 20 questions athlete is a former Level 9 Eastern National Bars, Beam and All-Around Champion, she is also a 2021 Senior! Lane Rodocker of Hartland Gymnastics, in Michigan, has always been one of my absolute favorite athletes to watch especially on floor! Lane is a beautiful dancer and all of her routines are so expressive and so well put together, showing off her incredible dance ability as well as her personality. One of my absolute favorite routines though was when she had River Dance Irish music! I cannot 
remember the year and I wish I had a video of it, maybe Lane might have one she can post later for us, but I loved that routine and she did it so well!!! Since winning her Level 9 Eastern Nationals Title, Lane has experienced a few minor setback with injuries and of course COVID, but I am excited to watch her in her senior year and see where it takes her! Lane, who is uncommitted, would be a great asset to any college team she is a team leader with great personality who is always smiling and happy on the competition floor. So, let’s get to know Lane a little better as she continues her preparation for her senior club season.
How did you get into Gymnastics? How old were you? My mom noticed from a young age that I had a lot of energy, so she put me in the preschool gymnastics class when I was 4.
What is your favorite event? Why? My favorite event has always been beam! The way things flow and connect together is fun.
Favorite Skill? Dream Skill? My favorite skill would have to be back layout step-outs on beam because I love the feeling of floating when I do them! My dream skill is a double layout on floor.
Favorite part of Gymnastics? Why? My favorite part of gymnastics is the feeling of accomplishment and confidence you get when you nail your skills or when you nail your routine at a competition. Also, being a part of a team and seeing your team as a family succeed and persevere together is so fun. That’s what makes all the hard work worth it.
Biggest Accomplishment in Gymnastics so far? So far, making it to level 10 or placing first on bars, beam, and all-around at L9 Nationals in 2018 would have to be my biggest accomplishment.
1st thing you did when you were able to get back into the gym? The first thing I did when I was able to get back into the gym was see how much I could still do. I played around with some skills and did things like back handspring back layout step-out back layout step-out’s and side-aerial back layout step-out’s on a line on the floor.
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 team was out for about 5-6 months. It was a struggle to start working old and new skills again because everything felt differently, but I feel much better than last season due focusing on strength and endurance during quarantine. I’m continuing to do extra conditioning to maintain that strength. I’m still working on getting back my skills but I’m almost there. I feel I’ve adapted to the new normal fairly well.
Most embarrassing meet or training meet? My very first meet of level 9, Gymnastics on the Grand, was definitely the most embarrassing! I was intimidated by the other level 9’s and 10’s so I wasn’t performing how I practiced. I learned my lesson! Always focus on yourself and your team, and trust your training.
Something you have learned from Gymnastics that you will take with you? I’ve learned that hard work ALWAYS pays off. It may take days, weeks, or months for progress to show but as long as you’re giving 110% effort everyday, progress will show. Sometimes You just have to be patient.
Who is your biggest role model? Why? Grace Kaiding, my former teammate from Stars and Stripes Gymnastics, would have to be my biggest role model. She went through so many obstacles and tough injuries, yet she made it through all of it with a positive attitude. She is probably the strongest person I know.
What is something that sets your gym and/or your team part? I believe my team’s genuine camaraderie in practice and especially at competitions sets us apart. We cheer for everyone and there’s nothing but hugs and smiles after each person’s routine, no matter how it went.
What is your role on your Level 10 Team or you role in your gym in general? My role is to set a good example for everyone around me. I try to show the little ones and the girls close to my age what having fun while working hard and a good teammate looks like.
Most memorable Gymnastics moment… My most memorable moment would have to be when I finished the first event, bars, at L9 Nationals. Despite feeling a bit nervous, I nailed my routine like I had been in practice and hearing my teammates cheer and congratulate me made me realize how grateful I was for that opportunity, and I knew I just needed to be confident and the rest of the competition would be fun. And it was.
How would you explain the year 2020 to your future children/grandchildren? I would explain how it was a year of learning and growth. All the setbacks put what’s really important into perspective.
What is the most valuable piece of advice or wisdom your coaches have given you? “Believe in yourself”. A lot of times we get stuck in our own heads and forget that fear is just a feeling. Believing in yourself is one of the keys to success.
How did you stay motivated during your COVID Quarantine time out of the gym? I wrote down my goals for the next season and looked at them everyday. I watched gymnastics videos of me and college gymnasts to keep my goal in perspective and remind myself of why I need to continue to work hard.
Do you have a nickname? If so what is it? What is the story behind it? Everyone in gymnastics usually calls me “Laney”. I know my mom started to call me that when I was younger and I’m not sure why.
What really makes you laugh? Dad jokes and puns.
If you could have any super power what would it be? Why? I would want to be able to read people’s minds because I think it’d be very interesting to know what other people think about.
What is a question not on this list that should have been? Add your question we should of asked you and then answer it. A question I would add is “What is your dream job?” My dream job would be a sports medicine doctor. I love anatomy and sports so I know I’d love that job.
Bonus Question: Tell us something interesting about yourself………..I know about 100 digits of pi! I memorized it for a contest years ago and I haven’t forgotten them.
