Evy Schoepfer

1. Name, Age, Hometown
Evy, 15, Ames Iowa

2. Do you have a nickname?
Ev, Evy

3. In what cities to you live, go to school and do gymnastics?
I live in Ames, go to school in Gilbert, and go to gym in Ankeny.

4. When and why did you first become interested in gymnastics?
When I was three, I started gymnastics because my mom claims I did a “perfect” cartwheel after I watched my neighbor do one.

5. Do you have any good/funny memories from when you first started taking gymnastics classes?
At my first Level 4 in-gym meet, I did a belly flop on vault.

6. When did you decide you wanted to compete? And, when did you want to compete on the elite level? What about competition appeals to you?
After I started gymnastics, I advanced quickly and was excited to start competing in Level 4. I love competing because it gives you a chance to show off all of the hard work you put in at the gym. It feels good to shine and see your work pay off.

7. What is your training regimen? Was that a big change when you made the switch to competitive gymnastics?
I work out Monday through Saturday and 25.25 hours a week. Before competitive gymnastics, I did not train as much, but I have been competing since I can remember so that’s all I really know.

8. What is your favorite event?
Floor.

9. What is your favorite skill?
Full-in.

10. What music do you use for your floor routine?
Capone.

11. Who is your favorite gymnast or who is your “idol”?
Kara Lovan

12. How have you grown as a gymnast during your career, both skill wise and mentally?
I have definitely grown skill-wise because I have upgraded one or more my skills every year to give me a new challenge. Also, I have become more mentally strong, as I have had to work to overcome obstacles and hard times.

13. How has gymnastics helped you as a person?
Gymnastics has helped me as a person because it has taught me many skills including: leadership, time-management, and respect.

14. If you had to select one life-lesson that gymnastics has taught you, what would it be?
Time-management because I leave early from school everyday to go to gym, so I have to miss classes and potential study halls. This means that I have to take summer classes and make sure to work efficiently at my homework when I get home from gym. I have to set priorities in order to effectively accomplish tasks.

15. What are your biggest accomplishments or best memories in your career?
When I placed third at Junior Olympic Nationals in Mississippi and got to go to the Ranch; when I won the Pikes Peak Cup with a 38.85 and qualified to the Nastia Cup, and when I committed to the University of Oklahoma.

16. What grade are you in school, and where do you go to school?
I am a sophomore at Gilbert High School.

17. Do you want to compete in collegiate gymnastics?
Yes, at OU.

18. What are your favorite subjects, etc.?
Math.

19. If you plan to go to college, do you know what you want to study there?
Chemical engineering.

20. What are your goals for the future, both as an athlete and after you are finished competing?
To compete as an all-arounder in college, be a college national champion, and to become a chemical engineer.

21. When you’re not in the gym, how do you enjoy spending your time? Do you have any hobbies or favorite activities? Charities?
I like to spend time with my friends, babysit, shop, craft, paint my nails, and bake.

22. What is your favorite food?
Fruit

23. What is your favorite movie?
The Best of Me.

24. What is your favorite book?
To Kill a Mockingbird.

25. What is your favorite music group?
Taylor Swift

26. Are any of your family members current or former athletes? Which sports?
Yes, my dad played semi-pro baseball in Massachusetts, and my mom played high school basketball, softball, and ran track. My sister, Trudy, is a gymnast at Triad.

27. Do you have any competition rituals? Lucky charms?
No.

28. What’s on your IPod right now? What type of music do enjoy listening to? How about before a meet when you’re trying to get focused and pumped up?
I like to listen to today’s hits on Pandora. Before meets, I like to get to the gym early so I can start mentally preparing myself and get focused.

29. If you had to pick 3 words to describe yourself as a gymnast, what are they?
Powerful, dedicated, and focused.

30. What 3 words describe you as a person, not the gymnast?
Hard-working, responsible, and fun.