Our next Level 9 Eastern National Champion is Senior 7 Jocelyn Warnica of Michigan Academy of Gymnastics presented by A-1 Awards.

How does it feel to the 2018 National Senior 7 All Around champion?

It feels amazing. I’ve worked so hard this past year to be the best gymnast I can be and to see that hard work pay off is awesome.

Tell us how your meet went today? Walk us through each moment of your day, warm ups, events, etc..

Region 5 started on the floor, and my warm-up went smoothly. My teammate from MAG, Aviva, started the competition, and I went second. This being my fifth year using my floor routine, I wanted my final performance to be my best, and it was. The eight routines from Region 5 had no falls; we hit all eight routines. Vault went well also. I competed a Yurchenko layout. The landing on my second vault was much better than the first. Next was bars. I really struggled in warm up. I didn’t get a full routine in, nor any shoot overs or dismounts. I was confident that I could do my routine since we regularly do cold routines in practice. I made my routine, and my coach was super happy. Beam was next. I had done really well on beam during this season and wanted to finish off the season strong, and that is what I did. My biggest wobble was on a pose right after my mount, and the routine improved from there. After I finished my routine, all I felt was complete and utter joy like I’d never felt before. I had no idea that I had won, I was just proud of how I had done, as a whole in the meet. At awards, when they called my name first for all around, I had zoned out a little and only heard my name. I looked for my spot, and then realized that no one was on the podium yet. It was then that I realized I had won. It was a complete surprise. I was stunned.

What do you normally do between events to stay focused and ready for the next event?

On bars and beam, I will cheer for but not watch the people who compete before me. I do this because when I competed at Level 8 Regionals, I was almost last on beam, and everyone fell before me. My coach didn’t let me watch the other gymnasts, and I did not know until after I had stuck my beam routine that all the others had fallen. Before my turn on beam, I do multiple choreography routines on the floor. Before bars, I try to keep myself from thinking too hard about the routine ahead of me.

Tell us about the atmosphere of the meet compared to regular season meets you have been too.

The energy at the meet was more than anything I had ever experienced before. The atmosphere at most regular season meets is serious and very focused. At Easterns, it seemed as though everyone was trying their hardest, but also having fun doing it. I loved it.

What is it like being part of Region 5 at Eastern Nationals? (be descriptive)

It is a privilege to represent Region 5 at Eastern Nationals. I was on the Level 8 Michigan State Team at Regionals, and I loved competing with team being a focus. Competing for Region 5 at Nationals was just like that, but ten times better. You make new friends that are automatically there for you and have your back no matter what. It was so fun to represent Region 5 with my MAG teammate Aviva. It enhanced the Nationals experience for me, knowing that there was a gymnast with me that I had competed with at almost every meet for eight years.

How has your experience been here at Nationals? What have you been doing besides competing?

My experience at Nationals was awesome. The night before I competed, the Senior 7s went out to dinner together. This was a lot of fun because we all got to spend some time together outside of the gym. I arrived in Rochester just in time to see my other teammate, Marissa, compete on Saturday afternoon. She did awesome placing second all-around.  This helped inspire me for my competition the next day.

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When the meet is over what is or what was the first thing you did to celebrate your win?

On the way home from Rochester, I studied for my AP exam. I haven’t properly celebrated yet, but I’m planning on it in the near future.

Other than becoming National Champion, what was one highlight of the meet for you today?

One other highlight of my meet was cheering for my teammates. I loved the team aspect of the competition.

Anything crazy or funny happen during your meet today?

During march in, our team was a mess. First, we stopped in the wrong spot. Then, one of my teammates didn’t follow us as we kept walking. It was hilarious.

How does Region 5 compare to the other Regions out on the competition Floor? What sets Region 5 apart?

Compared to the other Regions, Region 5 had a lot more energy. We were cheering for one another really loud, and none of the other regions seemed to be doing that. We had a conversation at dinner the night before, and we said that we were going to be the loudest ones out on that floor. We even had louder parents and fans in the stands than any other region.

Who inspired you the most today? What did they say to you? How did you get amped up and motivated today?

There are a lot of people who inspired me throughout the weekend. Marissa’s Senior 2 2nd place All Around finish, the great attitude of my teammates, and my parents. My coaches stayed calm throughout the meet, which also helped me to do my best. These people didn’t have to say anything to me for me to know that I had their support and best wishes. After all of the hard work and dedication, I was very excited to go out there and show it off. I couldn’t have done it without the unending support of my parents and teammates. Also, without the dedication and endless persistence of my coaches, I would never have made it this far.

Jocelyn was also part of the Senior 7 National Championship Team, she also took 2nd place on the Uneven Bars.