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

Kaitlin DeGuzman

2015

Kaitlin DeGuzman

Hometown:
Rowlett, Texas

Age:
14

Gym:
Metroplex Gymnastics
Allen, Texas

Qualifying Meet:
WOGA Classic

            Bio

1. Name, Age, Hometown
Kaitlin DeGuzman, 14, Dallas, Texas (Born in Philippines)

2. Do you have a nickname?
“Guzzy”

3. In what cities do you train and go to school?
I train in Allen, Texas, and I am homeschooled.

4. When and why did you first become interested in gymnastics?
When I was five, I saw my mom do gymnastics and wanted to do it because I thought it was cool.

5. Do you have any good/funny memories from when you first started taking gymnastics classes?
Once the head of my gym was in the audience, I was trying to wave at him while I was on the podium. I guess I tried to do like a forward roll or something, and I fell off the podium.

6. What is your training regimen? Was that a big change when you made the switch to competitive gymnastics?
I train 30 hours a week. I don’t really remember if it was a big change, but I don’t think so.

7. What is your favorite event?
I don’t really have a favorite event. I like them all equally. But, if I had to pick, I really like doing floor.

8. What is your favorite skill?
Overshoot on bars.
Can you describe that to me?
You start from the high bar facing the low bar and when you’re going down to the low bar, you do a turn with your toes up and catch the low bar.

9. What music do you use for your floor routine?
“Stand.”
Can you describe it to me?
It’s dramatic and sharp-styled.

10. Who is your favorite gymnast or who is your “idol”?
My mom.

11. How have you grown as a gymnast during your career, both skill wise and mentally?
Well I haven’t actually grown very much. (Joke)

12. How has gymnastics helped you as a person?
It’s helped me a lot with focusing and determination.

13. If you had to select one life-lesson that gymnastics has taught you, what would it be?
To never give up.

14. What are your biggest accomplishments or best memories in your career?
My biggest accomplishment was winning State last year in Level 10 and competing at nationals.

15. What grade are you in school, and where do you go to school?
I’m in 8th grade.

16. Do you want to compete in collegiate gymnastics?
Yes. It’s one of my top goals.

17. What are your favorite subjects, etc.?
Health. I’ve always loved health and sometimes science.

18. If you plan to go to college, do you know what you want to study there?
I want to be a veterinarian someday.

19. What are your goals for the future, both as an athlete and after you are finished competing?
When I’m done competing, I want to be a vet and my friends and I are going to have this big house filled with animals.

20. When you’re not in the gym, how do you enjoy spending your time? Do you have any hobbies or favorite activities? Charities?
I spend my day at the gym 24/7 because my mom works here too. I watch Netflix and play with my dog at home. My hobbies are really limited to playing with animals. I volunteer for Oakhill Animal Shelter. They go to PetSmart and I help with adoptions.

21. What is your favorite food?
Ice cream.

22. What is your favorite movie?
“Spirit,” the horse movie.

23. What is your favorite book?
“A Dog’s Purpose” by W. Bruce Cameron.

24. What is your favorite music group?
I don’t really listen to music as much. I don’t find it that interesting. But, I listen to Bruno Mars.

25. Are any of your family members current or former athletes? Which sports?
My mom used to be a gymnast, my dad used to play water polo, and my brother is a swimmer.

26. Do you have any competition rituals? Lucky charms?
I have to eat steak or chicken, bread and ice cream the night before I compete. Also, my grandma gave me this bracelet that I always keep in my bag.

27. What do you do to get focused before a meet?
I don’t talk to anybody.

28. If you had to pick 3 words to describe yourself as a gymnast, what are they?
Funny, determined, and confident.

29. What 3 words describe you as a person, not the gymnast?
Kind, interesting, and loud.

2014

Kaitlin DeGuzman

Hometown:
Rowlett, Texas

Age:
13

Gym:
Metroplex Gymnastics
Allen, Texas

Qualifying Meet:
Sand Dollar/Whitlow Invite

            Bio

Q: Do you have a nickname?
“Guzie.”

Q: When and why did you first become interested in gymnastics?
“I started in my mom’s preschool class and become interested because I wanted to play in the gym and win medals.”

Q: Do you have any good/funny memories from when you first started taking gymnastics classes?
“I remember goofing off, dancing around, or making faces while I was on the award stand. My dad even has me on video.”

Q: When did you decide you wanted to compete? What about competition appeals to you?
“I have wanted to compete since I was about 5 years-old. I remember watching other kids win medals. I also enjoy the traveling to other places for meets.”

Q: What is your training regimen? Was that a big change when you made the switch to competitive gymnastics?
“I used to train three hours a day, three times a week. Now, I practice six hours a day for four days a week, plus four hours a day twice a week.”

Q: What is your favorite event?
“It’s hard to pick one. I like bars, beam and floor.”

Q: What is your favorite skill?
“Endo.”

Q: What music do you use for your floor routine?
“My music is called ‘Sand’ by Nathan Lanier.”

Q: Who is your favorite gymnast or who is your “idol”?
“My favorite gymnast is Kyla Ross.”

Q: How have you grown as a gymnast during your career, both skill wise and mentally?
“I have grown a lot skill wise. My routines have upgraded from Level 9 to 10 and I am working on elite. Mentally I can handle the pain and pressure much better.”

Q: How has gymnastics helped you as a person?
“I have learned that quitting is not an option. It has made my faith stronger knowing God is always with me, in and out of the gym.”

Q: If you had to select one life-lesson that gymnastics has taught you, what would it be?
“Hard work pays off and never give up.”

Q: What are your biggest accomplishments or best memories in your career?
“Winning Level 9 state.”

Q: Do you want to compete in collegiate gymnastics?
“Yes.”

Q: What are your favorite subjects in school?
“Health and gym.”

Q: If you plan to go to college, do you know what you want to study there?
“I want to be a marine biologist.”

Q: What are your goals for the future, both as an athlete and after you are finished competing?
“As an athlete, to compete internationally and then in college. After gymnastics I want to have my own animal foundation so I can take care of animals that need help.”

Q: When you’re not in the gym, how do you enjoy spending your time? Do you have any hobbies or favorite activities?
“I enjoy watching movies and playing with my dogs.”

Q: What is your favorite food?
“Steak and bread.”

Q: What is your favorite movie?
“‘Secretariat.'”

Q: What is your favorite book?
“‘A Dog’s Purpose.'”

Q: Who is your favorite musician?
“Tenth Avenue North.”

Q: Are any of your family members current or former athletes? Which sports?
“My mom was a gymnast. My dad was a swimmer and played water polo, and my brother was a swimmer and a gymnast.”

Q: Do you have any competition rituals? Lucky charms?
“I always carry a jade bracelet that my grandmother gave me.”

Q: 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 listen to the radio, KLTY out of Dallas.”

Q: If you had to pick three words to describe yourself as a gymnast, what are they?
“Hard-working, determined and self-motivated.”

Q: What three words describe you as a person, not the gymnast?
“Funny, witty and a dog-lover.”

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