Athlete Spotlight – Olivia Gaines

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This week's athlete spotlight is [player_tooltip player_id='39074' first='Olivia' last='Gaines'], a standout sophomore in the class of 2029, from Tampa Bay Turners. Olivia shared with PrepGymnastics some insight into her start in gymnastics, what she enjoys in and out of the gym, and the people that have had the biggest impact on her career so far. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>How did you get started in gymnastics?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>I started gymnastics at two years old by doing Toddler Open Gym offered at my gym. This is when I met my current coach - Coach Alicia - who suggested I take the Mom and Tot recreational gymnastics class which led to Hot Shots, Pre-Team and then Team.</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 probably Vault because it's an event where I feel very confident. I love to work my hand front vault and the upgrades that come with it (currently working my hand front pike, hand front tuck half, and hand front pike half), but honestly I like all 4 events for different reasons.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>What skill have you been most proud of learning and why?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>I would probably say the skill I have been most proud of learning is my straddle jaeger because I struggled with finding a release move that worked for me. This struggle restricted me from competing bars for most of my first level 10 season last year. I finally have it consistently and it is something I'm very proud of.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>What do you enjoy doing in your free time?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>In my free time I like to hangout with friends, go on the boat, go shopping, and honestly just rest in bed watching movies and TV shows.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>How have you grown as a gymnast over the last few years?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>I think mentally I have grown a lot when it comes to gymnastics. I try to not let things get to my head so quickly and have it overwhelm me. It has made practice and my overall attitude a lot better over the past few years. I want to continue to grow stronger mentally as time goes on.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Who has made the biggest impact on your gymnastics career?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>I would definitely say my coaches have made the biggest impact on my gymnastics career. They have worked with me almost everyday for my whole life (Coach Alicia &amp; Coach Carlee have been with me since Level 1 &amp; Coach Jesse since Level 5). They have worked with me<br>through so many hardships and victories and watched me grow up in the gym. Without them I wouldn't even be close to where I am now, so they for sure have made the biggest impact on my gymnastics career.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>What are you most excited about for the upcoming competition season?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>I am excited to showcase more confident gymnastics now that I'm entering my second year of level 10! I am also excited to have a successful season!</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>What are your favorite hobbies outside of the gym?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>I have been really into bedazzling things. I also love listening to music because it's something that is relaxing and fun to do when I'm bored.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>What has your recruiting journey looked like so far?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Because I'm currently a Sophomore in High School, my recruiting journey has not officially begun. I have loved attending college camps this summer and learning about the different teams/programs, schools, and meeting the coaches and team . This Summer I attended High<br>Performance Camps at - Clemson University, University of Iowa, and University of Georgia. I also attended the Legends Showcase Camp in Arizona the last two years which has introduced me to so many amazing college coaches and programs that I want to learn more about! I have been fortunate to receive college mail over the past year from University of Georgia and University of Arkansas, which is something I'm very proud of and grateful for.</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>I'm someone who works hard to balance my gym life and life outside of gym because this sport can sometimes feel all consuming and my only identity, but in reality there is so much more about me that makes me the person I am. I love to hangout with friends, make people laugh, and be someone who makes people feel comfortable and supported!</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thank you so much, Olivia, for giving us a look into your life inside and out of the gym. PrepGymnastics is so excited to follow you this season and beyond!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->