Continuing our coverage of the 2019 Eastern National Championships our next 20 Questions Athlete is a 2 time Event National Champion. Olivia Orengo, formerly of IGI now with Phenom, took the top spots in both the Vault and Floor Exercise in the Junior 4 age group also helping her team place 2nd in the team competition. Olivia is small, but powerful opening her floor with a huge double back, with her powerful tumbling you can definitely see why she is the National Floor Champion. The power she exhibits on the Floor translates over to the Vault where Olivia performs a very nice layout Yurchenko, that I am sure will be an amazing full for Level 10. Speaking of Level 10 Olivia will be entering into her first Level 10 Season in 2019-2020 with sights set on the 2020 JO National Championships. Olivia, who is not yet in High School, will definitely be “one to watch” over the next 4 years as she strives to represent Region 5. So, let’s get to know Olivia a little better as she prepares to take on the upcoming season. 

How did you get into gymnastics? How old were you? I tried gymnastics when I was in preschool, but then quit because I wanted to try other things.  But, when I was in first grade, I wanted to try again and haven’t stopped since.

 What is your favorite event?  My favorite event to compete is floor, but I enjoy practicing both floor and bars. 

 Favorite skill to train/compete? I don’t have a particular favorite skill  that I like to train, but I like to work bar upgrades and new tumble passes

Dream Skill? I think it would be fun to have a double layout or a unique acro on beam.

What is your favorite part of gymnastics? My favorite part of gymnastics besides learning new skills is all of the friendships I have made over the years

What is your favorite meet to compete at?  Why? My favorite meet to compete at is Chicago Style.  I like it because it’s a bigger meet with a lot of different teams from the US and other countries and because of the meet leos and the free massages after the meet.

Biggest accomplishment in gymnastics so far? I feel I have had a few big accomplishments in gymnastics so far such as scoring a perfect 10 on vault, finishing first AA at state and making it to Easterns and placing first on floor and vault.

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Who do you most admire in the sport of gymnastics?  I admire all of the athletes, coaches and judges that commit to the sport and make everything possible

What is your go to playlist or song before meets? Most people have a go to playlist or song, but I don’t  I just listen to what my  mom is listening to on the way to the meet.

3 things that you could not live without?

               -my dogs

             -my family and friends

             -my collection of shoes and blankets 🙂

If you could be any animal, what animal would you be and why? I think I would like to be a pig.  They are my favorite animal. I would like to see how they live each day.  But, I want to be someone’s pet and not the chosen one that gets Slaughtered 🙂

5 most important or must haves in your gym bag? Grips, tiger paws, extra tape, my heel pads, and water bottle

Do you have any pre-meet rituals or superstitions? Each year, I choose a dinner that I have the night before the meet.  I’ve usually chosen TGI Fridays or Chilis.  This past season, I found a pre meet snack that worked  really well.

What do you like to do outside of Gymnastics? When I am not at gymnastics, I like to hang out with my friends, do crafts, and travel 

Most embarrassing meet moment or gymnastics moment? Tripping while walking up to get my vault medal when I had scored the perfect ten; when I hurdled over the springboard at Chicago Style and crashed right into the vault; and being the last competitor at the state meet this year and totally wiping out on the beam with everyone watching

If you weren’t a gymnast, what sport would you do or try? I would probably do track and cross country because my brother and sister do it and people have told me I should try it

How does it feel to be a Level 9 Eastern National Champion? It feels good knowing that all the hard work that I had put in during the year paid off.

Most memorable gymnastics or JO Nationals moment?  Travelling with my teammates and cheering and hanging out with them at all of the Meets.

What is the most valuable piece of advice or wisdom your coach has given you? Always go at 100% because there is no way to measure or be consistent at any other level.

Bonus Question: Tell me something interesting about yourself……Two interesting facts about me: I have been modeling since I was three years old and I have stood in both the Northern Hemisphere and the Southern Hemisphere at the same time.