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

Kyana George

2014

Kyana George

Hometown:
McKinney, Texas

Age:
15

Gym:
Metroplex Gymnastics
Allen, Texas

Qualifying Meet:
Sand Dollar/Whitlow Invite

            Bio

Q: Do you have a nickname?
“KyKy.”

Q: When and why did you first become interested in gymnastics?
“I began gymnastics when I was only 22 months. My mom says I was always dancing and jumping around and decided to put me in gymnastics class. I started competitive gymnastics when I was 5 years old. I really enjoyed it.”

Q: Do you have any good/funny memories from when you first started taking gymnastics classes?
“I was running down the tumble track but instead of jumping off I face planted.”

Q: When did you decide you wanted to compete?
“I decided I wanted to compete when I was asked to join a team and was told I was really good and should be on the team.”
And, when did you want to compete on the elite level? What about competition appeals to you?
“The physical and mental challenge on the elite level is what keeps me interested to possibly take that route. The team excitement and cheering you on is the best part of competition.”

Q: What is your training regimen?
“I train two times a day, every day, except Wednesday and Saturday.”

Q: What is your favorite event?
“My favorite event is bars.”

Q: What is your favorite skill?
“My favorite skill is my squat double-turn on beam.”

Q: What music do you use for your floor routine?
“‘Americano’ by Lady Gaga.”

Q: Who is your favorite gymnast or who is your “idol”?
“My favorite gymnast is Jaycie Phelps. She helped me get over a lot of fears and helped me believe in myself more.”

Q: How have you grown as a gymnast during your career, both skill wise and mentally?
“I have grown so much, especially on bars. I was horrible at bars all the way up to my second year of Level 8. Jaycie and Dave helped me mentally and helped me to fix all my basics. Gina [Quinlan] has coached me to understand the skill step-by-step, which has helped me a lot, so much that I won the national bars title at Nationals. On all my events, I have learned to compete and not let mistakes bring me down but motivate me to do better at practice and competitions.”

Q: How has gymnastics helped you as a person?
“It has helped me be more responsible, more focused and more goal driven.”

Q: If you had to select one life-lesson that gymnastics has taught you, what would it be?
“To remain humble and believe in myself.”

Q: What are your biggest accomplishments or best memories in your career?
“My biggest accomplishment is winning the bars at Nationals and making the Nastia Cup last year and this year. Best memories? Finally after years and years of gymnastics winning the all-around for the first time at the Tiger Classic last year. No one understood why it meant so much to me until they found out that I had never won an all-around before. I always came up short. Another great memory is attending the J.O. National Team training camp. It was the first time I was away from my parents for so long. It was so much fun and scary at the same time!”

Q: Do you want to compete in collegiate gymnastics?
“Yes, I want to compete in collegiate gymnastics. I have visited OU [Oklahoma University] and will be visiting other schools this season.”

Q: What are your favorite subjects in school?
“My favorite subjects are math and science.”

Q: If you plan to go to college, do you know what you want to study there?
“I’m not quite decided, but I have physical therapy or chiropractic studies in mind.”

Q: What are your goals for the future?
“My goals are to make the J.O. national team and defend my title on bars at Nationals.”

Q: When you’re not in the gym, how do you enjoy spending your time? Do you have any hobbies or favorite activities?
“When I’m not at the gym, I love just relaxing and watching old reruns of shows my mom watched when she was my age. [Laughs.] I also enjoy spending time with friends I hardly get to hang out with. I also enjoy hanging out with my aunt and baby cousin.”

Q: What is your favorite food?
“Steak!”

Q: What is your favorite movie?
“Frozen.”

Q: What is your favorite book?
“I don’t really have one.”

Q: Who is your favorite music group/artist?
“I really don’t have a favorite. I like all sorts of music.”

Q: Are any of your family members current or former athletes? Which sports?
“My parents were athletes in high school. That’s about it.”

Q: Do you have any competition rituals? Lucky charms?
“Yes, I do. I have to listen to a certain playlist while I get ready and get focused. I have to eat milk chocolate before my competitions, too. It helps me relax.”

Q: What’s on your IPod right now? What type of music do you enjoy listening to? How about before a meet when you’re trying to get focused and pumped up?
“All types. Disney, pop, hip-hop, 80’s, Latin. It’s a mixture of song types.”

Q: If you had to pick 3 words to describe yourself as a gymnast, what are they?
“Determined, strong, and motivated.”

Q: What 3 words describe you as a person, not the gymnast?
“Witty, easygoing, and happy.”

2013

Kyana George

Hometown:
McKinney, Texas

Age:
14

Gym:
Metroplex Gymnastics
Allen, Texas

Qualifying Meet:
WOGA Classic

            Bio

By Lauren Ely

At just 22 months old, Kyana George began gymnastics. Now George, 14, can see college gymnastics or the Olympics in her future.

This year is George’s first trip to the Nastia Liukin Cup. Liukin is one of George’s favorite gymnasts because of her strong will and how she doesn’t back down. Like Liukin, George is committed and hardworking.

Bars were once her weakest event, but after hours of practice, George says it’s her favorite.

“I really just know how to swing on it,” George said. “I like when everybody gets to see what I’ve been training and what I can do.”

In 2009, George began to question if gymnastics was something she wanted to continue pursuing. When Jaycie Phelps and Dave Marus became her coaches, she quickly changed her mind.

“I felt like I progressed a lot, and I fell in love with the sport all over again,” George said.

In 2011, Phelps and Marus left to open their own gym, but the McKinney, Texas, gymnast stayed at Metroplex Gymnastics to train under Marnie Futch. George says Futch has focused on getting her in good condition and focused on the details of her skills.

George can see herself moving up to elite in the future, and she aspires to join the national team and compete at the Olympics. College gymnastics is also one of her goals, and her top choices are Oklahoma, Alabama, UCLA and Michigan.

Outside of gymnastics George enjoys “just relaxing” and hanging out with friends at the mall or jumping on the trampoline. Her favorite subject is science because she enjoys doing labs and being hands-on.

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