Interview With Ava Jordan

How old were you when you started gymnastics, and what originally drew you to the sport?

I started gymnastics at the age of three in mommy and me classes because my mom felt it would be a great way for me to exert energy and be active. She was a gymnast until she was thirteen and loved it despite dealing with injury. Her love for the sport is was drove her to put me in it at a young age.

What was your favorite meet, your favorite and least favorite events, and the hardest/easiest skill you ever trained?

My favorite meet was Sprouts Collegiate Quad 2026 in Salt Lake City, Utah. My team and I broke the University of Michigan women’s gymnastics program beam record and it was my first time competing beam in college. My favorite event is bars and my least favorite tends to be floor but I still enjoy doing it. The hardest skill I have trained is a yurchenko 1.5 on vault and the easiest is a bail on bars.

Gymnastics is incredibly mental. What was your hardest struggle during your time as a gymnast? How did you deal with nerves, pressure, and getting in your head or temporarily "losing" a skill?

My hardest struggle in gymnastics has been dealing with pressure and competing at such a high level. I have learned how to use mental choreography, cues, and my teammates to help me navigate the struggles of competing at high stakes meets in front of large crowds. I learned the importance of reassuring myself and relying on those around me to build my confidence.

What was your biggest accomplishment in the sport, and did you ever want to do college gymnastics?

I have always wanted to do college gymnastics and i would say my biggest accomplishment is committing to the university of michigan as a walk on and earning a full ride scholarship code my time here.

How did you cope when your time as a gymnast ended, and did you transition into coaching or are you currently still competing?

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Who was your gymnastics role model, and what advice would you give to someone starting the sport for the first time?

I would advise any gymnast starting the sport to be cautious and not let gymnastics become your identity. It’s easy to love a sport so much that it consumes you and each practice of competition determine your mood, etc. Find other things in life that bring you joy, and consistently remind yourself that everyone’s journey is different and it will all work out for you.

What two goals you want to achieve in the sport of gymnastics?

Win a big ten championship! Make it to nationals!