Feb. 25, 2024 - 12:00 p.m. ET
Kentucky International Convention Center - Louisville, Ky.

Chloe Widner

2018

Chloe Widner

Hometown:
Frisco, Texas

Age:
17

Gym:
Texas Dreams
Coppell, Texas

Qualifying Meet:
Salcianu and Brestyan’s Invitational

            Bio

Twitter: @chloe_widner

Instagram: @chloewidner

Do you have a nickname? Chlo, and I have a coach who calls me WAFFLES.

When and why did you first become interested in gymnastics? When I was 3, my mom signed me up for a summer camp. I came home asking for a practice mat and a balance beam!

Do you have any good/funny memories from when you first started taking gymnastics classes? At a level 3 mock meet, I was up first on floor and completely forgot my routine! I stood there with a “deer in the headlights” look on my face until my coach told me to salute & walk off. It was so embarrassing!

When did you decide you wanted to compete? And, when did you want to compete at a high level? What about competition appeals to you? I knew that I wanted “routines,” and I couldn’t get those in rec classes, so that made competing my goal. I knew that I wanted to compete for a D-1 school when I was in 7th grade, so that helped me set the goal of being a competitive level 10 gymnast.

What is your training regimen? Was that a big change when you made the switch to competitive gymnastics? I train every day from 7:00- 11:00 or 11:30. One day a week, my team has a second practice for a couple of hours. Once a month, I have a choreography session for my floor routine (dance is part of our training, but this is extra). It works out to be around 30 hours/week in the gym.

What is your favorite event? BEAM

What is your favorite skill? Piked full-in

What music do you use for your floor routine? Madame Papillon by Rene’ Audrey

Who is your favorite gymnast or who is your “idol”? Kim Zmeskal-Burdette

How have you grown as a gymnast during your career, both skill wise and mentally? I read Aly Raisman’s book last year and she talked about learning to compete for yourself. That helped my mentailty because I realized that if I was proud of what I did, the score or placement didn’t matter so much. Skill-wise, the big skills in level 10 take longer to develop than I thought they would. It’s really hard to work for a full off-season on a skill and STILL not be ready to compete it. It is also VERY gratifying when you finally do get the skill and put it in a routine.

How has gymnastics helped you as a person? The # 1 thing gymnastics has taught me is time management. When your day starts at 5:30 am, there isn’t much time to waste. I think confidence and perseverance are two other lessons I have learned from gymnastics.

If you had to select one life-lesson that gymnastics has taught you, what would it be? The most important lessons I’ve learned are to be patient and to trust the process.

What are your biggest accomplishments or best memories in your career? I’m most proud of being a JO National team member the last 2 years, and qualifying to Nastia Liukin Cup twice. It has also been super fun to compete at Texas Legendz (after the Texas Prime Meet) as an “event specialist. I’ve competed floor 3 times and beam once.

What grade are you in school? I’m a junior

Do you want to compete in collegiate gymnastics? Yes! I’m verbally committed to the University of Arizona in 2019!

What are your favorite subjects, etc.? Math is my favorite.

If you plan to go to college, do you know what you want to study there? Right now, I’m thinking biology with the goal of Physical Therapy school.

What are your goals for the future, both as an athlete and after you are finished competing? I would love to work as a PT to develop protocols/training regimens geared toward injury prevention in young athletes.

When you’re not in the gym, how do you enjoy spending your time? Do you have any hobbies or favorite activities? Charities? I enjoy making hand-lettered signs, and want to open an ETSY shop! I also volunteer in the nursery at my church when there is time.

What is your favorite food? Pasta; specifically, fettucini alfredo.

What is your favorite movie? The Blind Side

What is your favorite book? One For The Murphys by Lynda Mullaly Hunt and FIERCE by Aly Raisman

What is your favorite music group? I don’t have a favorite group, but I LOVE the entire Hamilton soundtrack.

Are any of your family members current or former athletes? Which sports? I have an uncle who was a collegiate tennis player.

Do you have any competition rituals? Lucky charms? I have pasta the night before a meet. My parents pray with me right before we leave the house/hotel. And, I have a certain pair of socks that a teammate gave me several years ago that I always wear to meets. They have the word “confident” stitched on them.

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? The Hamilton soundtrack and a few top-40 hits.

If you had to pick 3 words to describe yourself as a gymnast, what are they? Competitive, determined, focused

2016

Chloe Widner

Hometown:
Frisco, Texas

Age:
15

Gym:
Texas Dreams
Coppell, Texas

Qualifying Meet:
Texas Prime Meet

            Bio

Nickname: Clover

Q: When and why did you first become interested in gymnastics?
A:
My mom signed me up for a summer gymnastics camp when I was 3, and I came home asking for a practice mat. I practiced my handstands everyday.

Q: Do you have any good/funny memories from when you first started taking gymnastics classes?
A:
I forgot my floor routine during my first Level 3 meet. I just stood there.

Q: What is your favorite event?
A:
Beam is my favorite because I like learning new skills.

Q: What is your favorite skill?
A:
A side aerial.

Q: What music do you use for your floor routine?
A:
Gypsy Dance

Q: Who is your favorite gymnast or who is your “idol”?
A:
Kim Zmeskal. I think it’s really cool to have a former World Champion and Olympian coaching me. I like her coaching style because she tells you what you need to do and she doesn’t sugar coat it.

Q: How has gymnastics helped you as a person?
A:
I’m pretty shy and introverted, so it helped me come out of my shell.

Q: What are your biggest accomplishments or best memories in your career?
A:
Making it to the Junior Olympic Nationals and the Nastia Cup.

Q: What are your favorite subjects, etc.?
A:
Math and Science because I like learning the formulas

Q: What are your goals for the future, both as an athlete and after you are finished competing?
A:
I want to be a physical therapist or chiropractor.

Q: When you’re not in the gym, how do you enjoy spending your time?
A:
I like to do craft projects and read.

Q: What is your favorite food?
A:
Steak

Q: What is your favorite movie?
A:
Home Alone because it’s funny.

Q: Do you have any competition rituals? Lucky charms?
A:
The day before a competition, I always wear the leotard to practice. Also, I have to wear a bun when I’m competing.

Q: If you had to pick 3 words to describe yourself as a gymnast, what are they?
A:
Focused, confident and determined

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