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Name: Ava Wellmeier
Gym: Buckeye
Age Group: Junior A
Graduation: 2024
Favorite Quote: “Every morning you have two choices; continue to sleep with your dreams or wake up and chase them”
Favorite Type of Music: My favorite type of music is country music!
Favorite Food: My favorite food is fried rice and chicken!
Favorite Movie: My favorite movie is A Dog’s Purpose!
Favorite Subject in School: My favorite subject in school is Englis
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Tell us about your experience competing at level 10 regionals in 2019, compared this experience to past Regionals or Level 9 Regionals if this was your first year of 10.This year, I had a lot more fun at Regionals compared to last year. Last year I was 2nd alternate for Nationals, and the year before that I was 2nd alternate for Easterns. It feels great this year to accomplish one of my biggest goals! About three weeks before Regionals this year I broke my big toe, and so I took a lot of pressure off myself to qualify and just told myself to have fun with all of my teammates, even if the outcome wasn’t what I hoped for it to be!
What have you learned from previous experiences at Regionals or Nationals and what made this year different? Over the past two years of being a level 10, I have learned that even if you have a great meet, the outcome won’t always be the same! You just have to do your best because you never know what score the judges are going to give you. That helped me a lot this year at Regionals because it made me focus on taking it one event at a time, doing my best and not focus on the outcome!
What are you most looking forward to about nationals? I am so excited to compete at Nationals this year! I can’t wait to meet so many new people and compete for Region 5! There are so many things to look forward to, like a banquet, getting our hair and makeup done before we compete, and practicing and competing with other gymnasts from all over the country!
How does it feel to represent Region 5 on a national stage? I feel incredibly honored that I get to compete for Region 5 at Nationals! I am so excited to have the opportunity to fulfill one of my biggest goals that I have set for myself every season of being a level 9 and 10!
What is your most memorable moment in gymnastics besides qualifying to JO nationals? Recently this year I got my HOPES 12-13 optional score, and I qualified to compete in the American Classic this June! This was another big goal of mine this season, and since I fell short of qualifying last year, it feels great to accomplish that goal!
What is the most powerful piece of advice you have received and how has it specifically impacted your gymnastics? The most powerful piece of advice that I have received is to never put too much pressure on yourself. I have always been very hard on myself both in practice and at competitions. I have always wanted to do well for myself, but also make my parents, coaches and team proud. I find that I always do better at competitions when I try to have fun and enjoy myself, instead of worrying about the outcome.
Tell me something interesting about yourself….special talents, hobbies, interesting facts etc I love doing a lot of things outside of gymnastics! Doing art, hair, nails and makeup has always been very fun for me! I love going outside, and I also love hanging out with my friends! I am currently learning sign language, and I am taking that as one of my courses in school! I have also recently started baking things! I love testing out new recipes and having my friends and family try it!
