Our next 20 Questions athlete is Kennedy Weinpert from All-Around Gymnastics Academy in Ohio. I first saw Kennedy last year at the Kalahari meet, I only filmed a few events, but knew she had something special. Kennedy was a first year level 10, but showed impeccable form on the bars and balance beam. So far in 2018 I have seen Kennedy at 2 meets in Ohio and she is definitely looking good! I cannot wait to see what the remainder of the season holds for this talented young athlete as well as her future in the sport of gymnastics. Good luck to Kennedy heading into state Meet this weekend and the rest of the championship season.

How did you get into gymnastics? How old were you? My mom put me into gymnastics at 3 years old because I was a very energetic kid and she wanted me to do something to occupy myself. Also, my cousin was a gymnast and she taught me some skills and I caught on fast so my mom wanted to put me into this sport.

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

What is your favorite Skill to train/compete? My favorite skill to compete is my tkachev on bars.

Dream skill? My dream skill would be a shaposh half on bars.

What is your favorite part of gymnastics? My favorite part about gymnastics is competing with my friends and getting to show off my skills while having a great time.

What college do you plan on attending? I’m currently undecided on where I want to continue my academic and athletic career.

What is your favorite meet to compete at? Why? My favorite meet to compete at is The All Around Challenge because it is our home meet and I get to compete with and watch all of my teammates. Also, all of my family and friends come to cheer me on and the atmosphere there is so energetic and fun.

What is your biggest accomplishment in gymnastics so far? My biggest accomplishment was scoring my highest all around at regionals last year as a first year level 10 and only improving from there.

 Who do you admire in the sport of gymnastics? I don’t have a specific gymnast that I admire because I look up to any gymnast that is dedicated and shows great pride in what they do.

What is your favorite Region 5 Insider Series or Feature? My favorite is All Access because I like watching how other gyms workout and I enjoy finding new drills.

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What is your go to song or playlist before a meet? I don’t have a certain playlist Ilisten to before competition but I tend to listen to anything upbeat before I compete.

3 Things you could not live without? I could not live without my family/friends, music, and my phone.

If you could be an animal, what animal would you be and why? I would be a monkey because they’re always swinging around and climbing everywhere.

5 Most important or Must have items your gym bag? I always have to have my grips, wrist guards, headphones, tape, and hair glitter in my gym bag.

Do you have any pre-meet rituals or superstitions? Before meets I always listen to music in the car and in the gym and I have the superstition that if I don’t do the same warmup routine that I always do then I won’t be able to perform as well.

What do you like to do outside of gymnastics? Outside of Gymnastics I like to hang out with my friends and family, listen to music, go for walks, and play with my pets.

Most embarrassing meet moment or gymnastics moment? One time in level 4 I finished my beam assignment early and decided to mess around and did a hitch kick on the beam and split it in front of my coach and teammates.

If you weren’t a gymnast, what sport would you do or try? If I wasn’t a gymnast, I would definitely try ice skating.

Which athlete (any sport) do you respect the most and why? I respect divers a lot because they have to do flips into a pool and have to get the right timing and body shape in order to land the way they want to.

What is the most valuable piece of advice or wisdom you coach have given you? The most valuable advice my coach has given me is that everyone has bad days no matter what and you have to get past them and not dwell on the mistakes you made that day because it isn’t going to make you better.Bonus Question: Tell me something interesting about yourself……I have 7 pets (2 dogs, 2 cats, 2 chinchillas, and a hedgehog)