TBA
TBA
1. Name, Age, Hometown
Jacquelyn Kranitz, 14, Denver, Colo.
2. Do you have a nickname?
“Jax.”
3. In what cities do you train and go to school?
I go to school in Denver, but I train in Colorado Springs.
4. When and why did you first become interested in gymnastics?
My mom took me to a ballet class when I was really little. I really did not like. So then, she put me in a “Mommy & Me” gymnastics class and she says I really enjoyed it. Apparently, I just never stopped.
5. Do you have any good/funny memories from when you first started taking gymnastics classes?
I remember having a lot of fun.
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?
I first decided I wanted to compete when I was six. The first club I went to wouldn’t let me compete unless I was eight, so, I moved to a gym that would let me compete when I was six at Level 4.
I really enjoy the one moment in competition where you get to debut what you’ve been putting in all those hours training for. I also get to see all these other gymnasts which is exciting because gymnasts aren’t all that common. I just like the hype, the pressure, and it’s really fun.
7. What is your training regimen? Was that a big change when you made the switch to competitive gymnastics?
I go from 2-7 p.m. on Mondays and 2-6 p.m. on Tuesdays through Fridays. On Saturdays, I go from 7:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. That’s about 30 hours a week. I was six when I made the change so I really didn’t feel a sense of change. When it really changed was when I went from JO to Elite. I decided I wanted to compete on the Elite level when I was 11 because I quickly went from Level 7 to Level 9.
8. What is your favorite event?
Uneven bars.
9. What is your favorite skill?
The Jaeger.
Can you describe that to me?
It’s when you are on the high bar facing the low bar, but your hands are reversed. So, when you swing forward, once you pass the low bar, you arch your body really quickly, and then you let go and do a straddle front flip (I usually straddle) and catch the high bar again.
10. What music do you use for your floor routine?
Right now, I’m using a classical violin piece. But, this coming year, I’d like to use more punky, hip-hop style music.
11. Who is your favorite gymnast or who is your “idol”?
I’ve always really admired Nastia Liukin, ever since the 2008 Olympics. I’ve always enjoyed watching her and her lines. She’s so beautiful and she’s so hard working.
12. How have you grown as a gymnast during your career, both skill wise and mentally?
When I was younger, like 10, I was training at a steady increase which didn’t really suit me. When I moved to Aerials, I learned two skills at a time and that’s helped me adapt to the quick pace of competition. Mentally, when I was younger, I only initially liked competition until about Level 9. At that point, I really didn’t like it. I would get super nervous to the point where I didn’t like it at all. But this year and beyond, I’ve learned to really enjoy competition and that’s really helped me mentally.
13. How has gymnastics helped you as a person?
Gymnastics has helped me by teaching me so many life skills, like always pushing through adversity. It’s also taught me social skills; my teammates and I are like sisters now. But mostly, it’s taught me to never give up and enjoy every second of competition.
14. If you had to select one life-lesson that gymnastics has taught you, what would it be?
To be confident in yourself. When you’re not confident, you’ll always mess up in one way or another.
15. What are your biggest accomplishments or best memories in your career?
The biggest accomplishment I’ve had is doing six developmental Karolyi camps. And then the best memory I’ve had was all the out-of-state meets I’ve done with my team because they’ve always been so fun.
16. What grade are you in school, and where do you go to school?
9th grade, Rock Canyon High School
17. Do you want to compete in collegiate gymnastics?
Yes. I really do.
18. What are your favorite subjects, etc.?
My favorite subject is science.
19. If you plan to go to college, do you know what you want to study there?
I definitely think it’ll be something related to science or entertainment, possibly something in biology or human anatomy. High school has shown me how fun forensic science is.
20. What are your goals for the future, both as an athlete and after you are finished competing?
Definitely to get a full-ride scholarship to a Division-I school. I don’t think I’ll be doing Elite again, so my main goal is definitely to compete collegiately.
21. When you’re not in the gym, how do you enjoy spending your time? Do you have any hobbies or favorite activities? Charities?
It’s mostly doing homework. On breaks, I hang out with friends, go swimming, spend time with my brothers, crafting, and listening to music.
22. What is your favorite food?
Eggs. Prepared any way.
23. What is your favorite movie?
“Inception” or “Skyfall”
24. What is your favorite book?
“The Westing Game” by Ellen Raskin
25. What is your favorite music group?
I don’t actually have a favorite. I like a lot of different types.
26. Are any of your family members current or former athletes? Which sports?
My mom competes as an IFBB (International Federation of Bodybuilding & Fitness) Pro in Figure and she used to run high school track and be a gymnast. My brother used to play hockey. My other brother snowboards and he’s trying to go pro with that.
27. Do you have any competition rituals? Lucky charms?
I always do a curly ponytail with my hair. Also, I have a stuffed turtle that I always put in my bag. I’ve had it since I was four.
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 typically don’t listen to music before a meet. But, if I do, I really enjoy listening to jazz.
29. If you had to pick 3 words to describe yourself as a gymnast, what are they?
Sharp, strong, and flexible.
30. What 3 words describe you as a person, not the gymnast?
Funny, kind, and curious.