Our next 20 Questions feature is with DeVeau’s School of Gymnastics Senior Mia Lord. Mia, who was a 2016 Yahtzee Award Winner, has competed at three JO Nationals in her career and admires a former DeVeau’s Gymnast. Mia mixes power and grace with her contagious smile, she is certainly one to watch. Let’s get to know Mia Lord a little bit better as she embarks on her final season as a Region 5 Athlete.
How did you get into Gymnastics? How old were you? I got into gymnastics because my mom was a gymnastics coach, and she would always take me into the gym with her. She could never get me to sit still and stop climbing on all the equipment, so she signed me up for my first class when I was about three.
What is your favorite event? My favorite event is beam because I think it’s one of the most difficult events to master, and I love the challenge.
What is your favorite part of gymnastics? My favorite part of gymnastics is competing and getting to show off all the skills I work so hard on in the gym.
If not already committed to college, what college do you want to attend? I’m committed to Northern Illinois University.
What is your favorite meet to compete at? My favorite meet to compete at is Circle of Stars because DeVeau’s is the host, and all my friends get to come watch me, and it just gets super hype.
Biggest accomplishment in gymnastics so far? My biggest accomplishment in gymnastics so far is competing in the past three J.O. Nationals.
Favorite skill to train and/or compete? My favorite skill is my series, which is a front aerial-back handspring-layout stepout.
Dream Skill? My dream skill is a double arabian on floor.
Who do you most admire in the sport of gymnastics? I admire former DeVeau’s gymnast Samantha Peszek because she was always so driven and so passionate about the sport.
What is your all time favorite leotard? My all-time favorite leo is my gym’s new competition leo because I got to help design it, and I’m obsessed with all the sparkles on it.
Do you still have your very first leo? I don’t have my first leo anymore.
What were the first Olympic Games you remember watching? The first Olympic Games I remember watching were the 2008 Olympics when Nastia & Shawn took first and second.
What do you want to be when you grow up? I want to be a neuropsychologist.
Where do you go to High School? I go to Hamilton Southeastern High School.
What is your favorite color? My favorite color is purple.
What do you like to do outside of gymnastics? I like to eat, sleep, and listen to music outside of gymnastics.
If you weren’t a gymnast what sport do you think you would try? If I weren’t a gymnast I would probably try dance.
If you could live anywhere in the world where would you live?If I could live anywhere in the world I would probably live in Switzerland because it’s so pretty there.
If you could have lunch with anyone dead or alive who would it be and why?If I could have lunch with anyone it would be Ariana Grande because she is my idol, and I worship her.
Tell me something interesting about yourself…..I have double jointed thumbs.
Watch the vault that earned Mia the 2016 1st annual Yahtzee “Best Stick” Award
Here is Mia competing her on her favorite event, the balance beam, at the 2016 JO Nationals
Our new series Five Focus sponsored by Tumbl Trak, we will look at different ways gymnasts train and techniques coaches use to develop athletes that help to improve our regions gymnastics. In the first Five Focus feature, Deanna (Sigler) Grader shows us some good dance drills on Tumbl Trak that can be incorporated into your training to help get that all important 180 degree split. Deanna lead floor dance at the 2016 Hot Shot Camp at Naperville Gymnastics and this was one of the workouts.
Our next 20 Questions athlete has made an impact not only at Legacy Elite, but also in Region 5. She has competed successfully at JO Nationals & The Nastia Liukin Cup, in the fall Maddie will embark on the next chapter of her life as a student athlete at Michigan State University, where she will be an asset on many events including her favorite the Uneven Bars. Lets get to know Legacy Elite’s Madison McHale a little better as she begins her last competitive year as a Region 5 JO Athlete.
How did you get into Gymnastics? How old were you? I was two years old when I
was put into my first Mom and Me class. My parents wanted me to try out as many sports as possible. After numerous sports like soccer and dance, gymnastics was the one that stuck.
What is your favorite event? My favorite event is bars because it comes more naturally to me than the other events and I love swinging around and flying through the air.
What is your favorite part of gymnastics? My favorite part of gymnastics is the challenge it brings every day. You can never settle in this sport. There is always something new to learn or improve upon.
If not already committed to college, what college do you want to attend? I am committed to Michigan State University.
What is your favorite meet to compete at? My favorite meet to compete at is JO Nationals because I love being with all of the girls and getting to meet new people. I also love the team atmosphere it brings since everyone is representing Region 5 and wants to do their best for the region.
Biggest accomplishment in gymnastics so far? My biggest accomplishment would either have to be making the Nastia Cup or committing to Michigan State. I can’t decide between the two!
Favorite skill to train and/or compete? My favorite skill to train is full ins on floor.
Dream Skill? My dream skill is a shaposh on bars.
Who do you most admire in the sport of gymnastics? I admire Kerri Strug because she is the perfect example of determination and showing that anything is possible if you set your mind to it.
What is your all time favorite leotard? There are so many to chose from. I’d have to say my favorite leo is a pink and green Adidas one I got when I was around 10 years old. My teammate and I would match on occasion and we would call it the “watermelon” leo.
Do you still have your very first leo? I do not still own my very first leo, but I am very thankful for it because without it, I wouldn’t be in this sport.
What were the first Olympic Games you remember watching? The first Olympic Games I remember watching was in 2004.
What do you want to be when you grow up? When I grow up, I want to become a general manager for Marriott International.
Where do you go to High School? I attend Waubonsie Valley high school in Aurora, Illinois.
What is your favorite color? My favorite color is pink.
What do you like to do outside of gymnastics? Outside of gymnastics, I like to shop, watch movies, and hang out with friends.
If you weren’t a gymnast what sport do you think you would try? I would try track because running in my opinion helps clear the mind and can be calming.
If you could live anywhere in the world where would you live? If I could live anywhere in the world, I would live in Hawaii because it is warm year round, the sunsets are incredible, and so are the beaches.
If you could have lunch with anyone dead or alive who would it be and why? I would love to have lunch with all of my future college teammates because we don’t get to see each other very often as we all live in different places and there is never a dull moment when I am with them.
Tell me something interesting about yourself….. Something interesting about myself is that I was born premature weighing 2 lbs 2 ounces.
Madison’s 9.575 Bar Routine from the 2016 JO Nationals
Mia, who was a 2016 Yahtzee Award Winner, has competed at three JO Nationals in her
career and admires a former DeVeau’s Gymnast. Mia mixes power and grace with her contagious smile, she is certainly one to watch. Let’s get to know Mia Lord a little bit better as she embarks on her final season as a Region 5 Athlete.
