Athlete Spotlight – Caitlyn Shelley

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>PrepGymnastics is about highlighting student athletes at every level. All of their hard work and dedication deserves recognition, and that's where PrepScouts come in. While we do follow training, skills, and competition, we also want to acknowledge the athlete beyond the gym. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I recently connected with [player_tooltip player_id='4355' first='Caitlyn' last='Shelley'], a senior from GymQuarters Gymnastics in Missouri, for a Q&amp;A about gymnastics and life outside of the gym. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>How did you get your start in gymnastics?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>I started gymnastics when I was three years old. A place called Tumbling on Wheels came to my preschool. It was a little bus with some mats and beams. I loved it, so my parents put me into tumble bees, and I have been doing gymnastics ever since.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>What is your favorite event and why?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>My favorite event is floor. I love getting to show off my personality in my routine. I also love tumbling, especially front twisting. There is always something new to try or upgrade on floor, so I am always having fun on floor.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>What is your favorite skill or connection? (on any event)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>My favorite skill is either a double back or a front full front full connected on floor.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Who has helped you the most get to level you are now?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>The person who has helped me the most is my coach, Lisa. I moved gyms a year ago, and she has really helped me to try new things and push myself to become the best version of me I can. Without her, I would not have tried half the skills I do now.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>What keeps you motivated?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>What keeps me motivated is looking back at how far I have come. I think about when I was young, watching college gymnastics on the T.V., and now I am a level 10 doing the skills I used to admire others doing. I've always dreamed of doing college gymnastics, and I really want to reach that goal.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>How have other gymnasts/coaches impacted your career?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Many of my current teammates have impacted my career because they have helped me build my confidence. They always support me and cheer me on, especially when I am having a hard time. My coach Lisa has also really impacted my career. She has taught me to really trust myself when I try new things. She always believes in me, even when I doubt myself, and she pushes me to keep working toward my goals. I would not be the gymnast I am today without her guidance and support.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>What is the most important thing you've learned from gymnastics?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>The most important thing I have learned is never to give up. There have been lots of times when I have wanted to give up. I have had lots of injuries that have made me question whether I want to do the sport anymore, but I am so glad I never quit. I learned that if you want something really bad, you have to keep working at it despite any challenges you face.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>What's most important to you when looking at colleges to continue your gymnastics career?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>When looking at colleges, I look for somewhere that will feel like home. I want somewhere that I can be myself and have fun. At the same time, I want to go somewhere that I can help the program improve and really make a difference for the team.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>What do you like to do when you're not in the gym?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>I love hanging out with my friends. We normally go out and do something fun like mini golf, pickleball, shopping, etc.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>What is something our readers should know about you?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Something I would want readers to know about me is that I am someone who is always willing to challenge myself and try new things. I can be very competitive, but I also love having fun and making memories with the people around me. Gymnastics has taught me to work hard and stay determined, but I never want to lose the fun and personality that made me fall in love with the sport in the first place.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thank you so much, Cailtyn, for sharing details about your gymnastics career inside and out of the gym. PrepGymnastics is excited to continuing following your journey and we can't wait to see where it takes you!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->