Well it’s been 6 Weeks of Coronation and we here at the Region 5 Insider are still going strong to bring everyone in Region 5 Land as much content as we can during this crazy time! Gymnastics may be cancelled right now, but we definitely are not. So, to continue with our 20 Questions Feature, our next featured athlete is a 2 time JO National Qualifier, 2 Level 9 Eastern National Qualifier & 2 time Eastern National Event Champion (Vault & Bars). Mila Brusch, who followed her older sister into Gymnastics, is an exceptional athlete with jam packed routines all over the gym. This being Mila’s 3rd season as a Level 10 she is still definitely “one to watch” and guessing by how she started the season, I can only imagine how she was going to finish it out. Mila, who graduates in 2022, has two more years here with us in Region 5 to shine on the National stage because she heads off to college at I am sure any place of her choosing. So, as Coron-acation continues let’s get to know Mila a little bit better as she trains from home in anticipation of a return to normalcy and her childhood gym…Cincinnati Gymnastics Academy.

How did you get into gymnastics? How old were you? When I was a toddler, I loved to flip on the couch and I always had a lot of energy. My mom enrolled me in classes at Cincinnati Gymnastics at 3 years old and I have loved it ever since.

What is your favorite event? My favorite event is bars because I love swinging and the feeling of catching a release.

Favorite Skill to train/compete My favorite skill to train is my shaposh half on bars, but I really have fun competing my piked full-in on floor

Dream Skill? My dream skill is a double double on floor because they are so impressive and stand out.

What is your favorite part of gymnastics? My favorite part of gymnastics are my friends. They always push me to be my best and motivate me to work hard in the gym. Meets are so fun with them and we have the best bond.

What college do you plan on attending? I am not committed yet, but my goal is to obtain a D1 scholarship at a school that fits my athletic and academic needs.

What is your favorite meet to compete at? Why? My favorite meet to compete at is JO Nationals. I love making new friends with my age group and we always have the best energy.

Biggest accomplishment in gymnastics so far? My biggest accomplishment in gymnastics was this year when I place 3rd on vault and 4th on floor at 2019 JO Nationals

What is your favorite Region 5 Insider Feature or Series? The blooper reel at the end of the year is my favorite Region 5 Insider Feature or Series because it always makes me giggle and I know I can always watch one of them whenever I need a laugh.

What is your go to playlist or song before meets? My go to songs are anything by JuiceWorld. They always get me pumped up and excited for the competition

3 Things you could not live without? I can’t live without my phone, my friends, and water.

If you could be any animal, what animal would you be and why? If I could be any animal I would be a koala because they like to sleep 18 hours a day, and that is how much sleep I aspire to have!

5 Most Important or Must have Items in your gym bag? Grips, water, tiger paws, deodorant, and a healthy snack

Do you have any pre-meet rituals or superstitions? I have to drink an iced chai latte from Starbucks before every meet

What do you like to do outside of Gymnastics? Outside of gymnastics, I like to shop, hang out with my friends, and play the piano.

Most embarrassing meet moment or gymnastics moment? At the 2017 JPAC Meet, I had to stop while I was running for my first pass of my floor routine and start over because the judges couldn’t hear my floor music. I was really confused when they stopped my music, and I stood in the middle of the floor for a hot second. Fortunately, when I re-did my floor routine, I hit it and scored a 9.5!

If you weren’t a gymnast, what sport would you do or try? If I wasn’t a gymnast, I would either play soccer or tennis.

Which athletes (any sport) do you respect the most and why? I respect all athletes because it takes so much hard work and determination to do the sport they love.

Something you learned from Gymnastics that you will take with you? From gymnastics, I have learned that hard work always pays off and that a team is the best thing you could ever have.

Most Memorable Gymnastics or JO Nationals Moment? My most memorable moment was from JO Nationals this year, I was the last competitor of the competition, on floor. The senior region 5 competitors had just finished and they all came over to watch me. My teammates Mickayla Stuckey and my sister Aria gave me pep talks before I saluted. There was so much energy, and I performed one of the best floor routines of my life, placing 4th. It was a great way to end the 2019 season.

What is the most valuable piece of advice or wisdom your coach has given you? My coach always tells me to trust myself, which is definitely a tool I will use throughout my lifetime.

Bonus Question: Tell me something interesting about yourself…. I am left handed!

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Check out Mila’s JO National Gallery Below