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Name: Rachel Rybicki 
Gym: Olympia
Age Group: Junior D
Graduation: 2022
Favorite Quote: For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jer 29:11
Favorite Subject: Spanish
Favorite Food: Steak and Mashed Potatoes
Favorite Actor/Actress: Zendaya
Favorite Super Hero: Wonder Woman
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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. I had a really great experience at level 10 regionals this year! During my previous regionals and at level 9 regionals I always competed by myself, but this year I was able to compete with my teammates and with a bunch of other really awesome girls. I tried to not think about qualifying to nationals, and more about enjoying the meet and doing my best gymnastics. You could really feel all the energy at the competition which made it even more exciting to compete!
Talk about moving into level 10, the challenges you have faced and the success you have had over the last year. I have had a hard time with consistency this year. In the beginning of the year I was competing as a 10 for the first time and I was always really nervous. As the year went on though, I got more used to competing and doing all my level 10 skills. My teammates all helped me to have fun and do my best gymnastics while competing, and by the end of the year I was having a lot of success with my floor routines! My floor score even counted toward our team score at states!
What are you most looking forward to about nationals? I can’t wait to room with the girls from my age group and make some new friends. I was able to get to know all of them a little bit after regionals and they all seem like such great girls! I am very excited to get to know each other better and spend some time together.
How does it feel to represent Region 5 on a national stage? It feels amazing! I can’t wait to wear the Region 5 leo and represent our region! I’m very happy to be able to be apart of a huge supportive team!
What is your most memorable moment in gymnastics besides qualifying to JO nationals? The most memorable moment for me this year was when my team won states! It was a very difficult and close competition, and being able to win made all the hard work worth it!
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 I have ever been given came from my coach. She told me to let go of anything that happened in the past and to not dwell on it. I needed to live in the moment and be able to take in everything and enjoy it. I can’t let the stuff from the past affect the present, because there is no way to go back and change it.
Tell me something interesting about yourself….special talents, hobbies, interesting facts etc I am very distantly related to Jonny Appleseed!
