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As we head toward the 2019 JO National Championships, we will be featuring some of our JO National Qualifiers in our 20 Questions Features until Nationals. Our first is a two time JO National Qualifier from Legacy Elite, Brooke Conley. Brooke is a member of the class of 2020 and is the 2019 Region 5 Senior C vault champion.

How did you get into gymnastics? How old were you? I took classes for about a year when I was six or seven. At that age, I was not enjoying anymore the sport so I stopped. At age 9, after watching the 2012 Olympics, I decided to go back to the gym. I jumped right into level 4, skipped level 5,6, and 7, and continued from there!

What is your favorite event? I love competing vault and training bars.

Favorite Skill to train/compete My favorite skill to train is my double layout on bars and my favorite skill to compete is a yurchenko full.

Dream Skill?Triple full on floor or a 1.5 on vault.

What is your favorite part of gymnastics? My favorite part of gymnastics is seeing all the hours of training and hard work finally pay off at competitions. I also love training with my friends every single day.

What college do you plan on attending? I am currently undecided.

What is your favorite meet to compete at? Why? My favorite meet to compete at is probably State. My teammates cheer super loudly from the stands, and it’s a super hyped meet.

Biggest accomplishment in gymnastics so far? Qualifying to nationals and winning vault at regionals two years in a row.

What is your favorite Region 5 Insider Feature or Series? I really liked the motivational Monday’s from last season.

What is your go to playlist or song before meets? I don’t really listen to music before meets, but if I do, any song that can pump me would be a go to.

3 Things you could not live without?The Lord, my family, and friends.

If you could be any animal, what animal would you be and why?Probably a cat so I could always stay on beam:)

5 Most Important or Must have Items in your gym bag? Water bottle, chapstick, pre-wrap, grips.

Do you have any pre-meet rituals or superstitions? I take a bath with a fun bath bomb, eat pasta, pray, and I always do my hair the same way.

What do you like to do outside of Gymnastics? I love baking and hanging out with my 4 year-old sister who loves to entertain me and be the center of attention.

Most embarrassing meet moment or gymnastics moment?I rolled my ankle on a leap at nationals last year and couldn’t compete.

If you weren’t a gymnast, what sport would you do or try? Volleyball or pole vaulting

Which athletes (any sport) do you respect the most and why? Any athlete in the special Olympics. It is so inspiring to see them overcome the challenges they face.

What part of JO Nationals are you most looking forward to? Making new friends, wearing the region 5 apparel, and competing for region 5.

Most Memorable Gymnastics or JO Nationals Moment? When I qualified for nationals last year. I got a concussion two weeks prior to regionals, so I had not been training much. I just remember feeling so proud that I was able to overcome the injury and have a great meet.

What is the most valuable piece of advice or wisdom your coach has given you? To compete without holding back. My coach tells me to be aggressive and go for everything. The more you hold back, the more likely it is you will mess up.

Bonus Question:   Tell me something interesting about yourself….

I have 5 siblings and I am the second oldest. I was also homeschooled until 8th grade.