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

Grace Glenn

2014

Grace Glenn

Hometown:
Charlotte, North Carolina

Age:
15

Gym:
Southeastern Gymnastics Center
Weddington, North Carolina

Qualifying Meet:
Atlanta Crown Invitational

            Bio

Q: Do you have a nickname?
“No.”

Q: When and why did you first become interested in gymnastics?
“My twin sister, Anna, and I were born in China and adopted when we were 15 months old. When we were 2 years old, my parents signed us up for a Mommy and Me gymnastics class at Southeastern Gymnastics. My parents thought that gymnastics would help improve our gross motor skills. Both of my parents had to go to the class to keep up with the two of us.”

Q: Do you have any good/funny memories from when you first started taking gymnastics classes?
“Our head team coach, Ludmilla, was teaching the Mommy and Me class when Anna and I were 2 years old. We wore pull-ups under our leotards. She likes to tell people that she has been coaching us since we were in diapers.”

Q: When did you decide you wanted to compete?
“I never really made any decisions. I just went with what was offered to me.”
And, when did you want to compete on the elite level? What about competition appeals to you?
“I have never thought about training elite; it has never been a goal for me. Competing is much more fun now than it was three years ago. I have met and become great friends with so many girls that I now compete with; I look forward to seeing my gymnastics friends whenever I compete.”

Q: What is your training regimen?
“I currently train Mondays thru Saturdays, four hours each day.”

Q: What is your favorite event?
“Bars.”

Q: What is your favorite skill?
“Pak salto.”

Q: What music do you use for your floor routine?
“I don’t know the name, but it’s from Russia. One of my coaches, Galina, got it from a friend who is a gymnastics coach in Russia.”

Q: Who is your favorite gymnast or who is your “idol”?
“Nastia Liukin.”

Q: How have you grown as a gymnast during your career, both skill wise and mentally?
“I have become much more mature over the years. I have gotten stronger mentally and physically. I feel much more calm now competing and I have learned how to perform well under pressure. I feel that I am much more experienced now as a gymnast.”

Q: How has gymnastics helped you as a person?
“I feel much more independent as a person. Gymnastics has made a huge impact on my personality. I am mentally strong and am very disciplined.”

Q: If you had to select one life-lesson that gymnastics has taught you, what would it be?
“Perseverance.”

Q: What are your biggest accomplishments or best memories in your career?
“Being named J.O. National Team Member 2012 and J.O. National Team Member 2013, and verbally committing to UCLA. My best memories are taking three Region 8 All-Star trips to Costa Rica, Florida, and Puerto Rico. ”

Q: Do you want to compete in collegiate gymnastics?
“Yes! I’ve verbally committed to UCLA, together with my twin sister, Anna.”

Q: What are your favorite subjects in school?
“Biology is my favorite subject. I also really enjoyed Principles of Biomedical Science.”

Q: If you plan to go to college, do you know what you want to study there?
“I am not sure yet, but I would love to take classes related to biology.”

Q: What are your goals for the future?
“I would love to make the J.O. National Team this season. I hope to compete all-around in college. I do not know what I want to do after gymnastics yet.”

Q: When you’re not in the gym, how do you enjoy spending your time? Do you have any hobbies or favorite activities?
“I don’t have a whole lot of free time; I spend all of my time out of the gym focusing on school, but I enjoy cooking on the weekends. I volunteered for a summer at a hospital and got to scrub up and go into the operating room and witness a hip replacement surgery.”

Q: What is your favorite food?
“I like Caesar salad, Panera Bread, and Chick-Fil-A.”

Q: What is your favorite movie?
“Les Miserables.”

Q: What is your favorite book?
“The Count of Monte Cristo.”

Q: Who is your favorite music group/artist?
“Country music, but no specific group.”

Q: Are any of your family members current or former athletes? Which sports?
“My twin sister, Anna is also a very good gymnast.”

Q: Do you have any competition rituals? Lucky charms?
“No.”

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?
“I love country music! I don’t really listen to music before meets.”

Q: If you had to pick 3 words to describe yourself as a gymnast, what are they?
“Consistent, calm, hardworking.”

Q: What 3 words describe you as a person, not the gymnast?
“Loyal, friendly, diligent.”

[adrotate group="2"]