Interview with Illinois gymnast Evan

1. What age did you start gymnastics?

  3

   2. How did you start in gymnastics?

Mommy and me classes!!!

  3. How did you deal with mental blocks?

Positive self talk! Saying things like “I can do this” out loud can really do wonders when it comes to mental blocks. I think it’s crucial for all gymnasts to talk them selves up and remember their mental cues when going through a mental block.

4. Who was your role model/someone you looked up to in the sport?

Someone I looked up to growing up was Yul Moldauer and it’s was such an incredible experience competing along side him at the 2023 Xfinity US Championships.

5. What was your hardest struggle during your time as a gymnast?

Hardest struggle as my time as a college gymnast has been staying healthy and avoiding injuries, but with lots of care and support I’ve managed to make it through five years at this level.

6. How do you handle nerves when you are competing?

Mental training/visualizations plus a lot of cues. Also trusting in my training.

7. What was your biggest accomplishment in gymnastics?

Biggest accomplishment was making US Championships this past summer! Along with placing 3rd place as a team at NCAA’s last year.

8. What did you do after you were done competing? Did you stay involved or did you do something totally different?

Right now I am undecided, but I will be traveling this entire summer.

9. What would people need to know if you are starting the sport for the first time?

Train like there is no tomorrow and make sure you are having fun with the sport!

10. What is your favorite meet?

2023 NCAA Championships

11. How do you handle pressure from peers/coaches/fans?

Embrace the pressure and make it performance.

12. How do you overcome setbacks and challenges?

Step back and take a minute to thinking things over then attack it head on.

13.Did college gymnastics ever cross your mind as something you wanted to do?

Yes! It was always my dream to compete at the college level and it was amazing when I committed to Illinois in 2018.

14. Least favorite event and favorite event? And why?

Parallel Bars and it’s so scary for me.

15. Hardest and easiest gymnastics skill to train?

Hardest: Triple flips on any event

Easiest: Giants

16. How did/do you deal with getting in your head on skills?

Positive self talk and telling myself I can do it before I go.

17. How did you stay out your head at practice and at meets?

Relying on my training and having fun.

18. Have any of you got a skill for a few weeks on any event and they a week or too later you just can’t do it? This is happening with my round off on beam right now but glad I have a back up series? If this has happened to you how have you dealt with it or overcame it?

Trying remembering what you thought when you made it and visualize how you do it before you go.

19.Advice you would give to current or people who want to start in the sport?

Have fun in the sport because you time in it will be over before you know it.