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Our next 20 Questions athlete is Midwest Elite Gymnastics Academy’s Gabrielle Stephen. Gabrielle has made history for her MEGA Gym by being the first ever Level 10 AND JO National Qualifier in the gyms history!! That is pretty exciting not only for Gabby, but MEGA as well. Gabrielle is an incredible athlete full of power, she excels at the Vault & Floor Exercise. Gabby, who is a sophomore in High School, has a few more years with us here in Region 5 she is definitely one to watch this season as we head towards the JO National Championships. Let’s get to know Gabrielle Stephen a little better as we continue the season and our journey to the Dream Team.

How did you get into gymnastics? How old were you? When I was younger I used to climb on everything, so to burn some of my energy my parents put me in gymnastics when I was 4. I fell in love with it and have been doing it ever since

What is your favorite event? My favorite event is vault.

Favorite Skill to train/compete My favorite skill to train is a yurchenko double full on vault.

Dream Skill? My dream skill is a flip flop tuck full series on beam.

What is your favorite part of gymnastics? My favorite part of gymnastics is trying new skills because it’s exciting to do things you have never done before.

What college do you plan on attending? Why? I’m not committed to any college yet but I really like University of Missouri because they have really nice facilities and I really like the coaches

What is your favorite meet to compete at? Why? My favorite meet to compete at is the last meet of the season because all of the pressure is off and you can just have fun.

Biggest accomplishment in gymnastics so far?  My biggest accomplishment in gymnastics so far is qualifying and competing in Nationals last year.

Who do you most admire in the sport of gymnastics? Why? I admire Aly Raisman because even through all of the hardships with Larry Nassar she was able to be a leader and a voice for all of the other victims.

What is your favorite Region 5 Insider Feature or Series? I really like the all access workout videos because it shows a lot of different coaching types and techniques.

What is your go to playlist or song before meets? I don’t have a premeet playlist right now, but i’m trying to convince my teammates to help me come up with one that we can all listen to before our meets.

3 Things you could not live without? I could not live without food, my friends, and my family because they help and support me with everything that I do.

If you could be any animal, what animal would you be and why? If I was an animal I would be a Narwhal because I like how unique they are.

5 Most Important or Must have Items in your gym bag? 5 of the most important things to have in your gym bag are contact solution, snacks, tape, chapstick, and lots water.

Do you have any pre-meet rituals or superstitions? I do not have any pre-meet ritual but I do like to spend some time alone before competing.

What do you like to do outside of Gymnastics? I really like problem solving, so some of the things that I like to do are solving rubik’s cubes and puzzles.

Most embarrassing meet moment or gymnastics moment? The most funny and embarrassing thing that ever happened at a meet was when I was drinking water right after an event and my coach came to me over and he started talking; I don’t remember what he said but he made me laugh and as I laughed I spat all of my water onto him and he was soaking wet.

If you weren’t a gymnast, what sport would you do or try? If I wasn’t a gymnast I think that I would do track because when I was younger I used to do it and I am very fast and powerful so track comes naturally for me.

What are you most looking forward to this competition season?  I am most looking forward to being able to compete with teammates and actually be able to place as a team because I have been competing alone for 2 competition seasons.

What is the most valuable piece of advice or wisdom your coach has given you? The best advice that I have ever received is that your biggest obstacle is yourself, if you doubt yourself and don’t give 100% effort then you will not be able to reach your goals, but if you believe in yourself and put in the work then you can accomplish anything that your put your mind to.

Bonus Question:  Tell me something interesting about yourself…. Some interesting things about me are that I have 4 siblings and that I know how to solve a rubik’s cube in under a 1 minute and ½