TBA
TBA
Instagram: Ava_piedrahita
Do you have a nickname? Avacado
When and why did you first become interested in gymnastics? My mom signed me up for gymnastics in 2009 rec class because my sister was in gymnastics and I was just running around the waiting room. It was so much fun to play and do skills inside the gym than running in the waiting room
Do you have any good/funny memories from when you first started taking gymnastics classes? Since my class coach always handed out candy for doing good skills, I would always be the most focused kid in the class because I LOVE candy.
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? When I got invited to team and I always wanted to compete like the big girls I watched while I was in classes. When I started competing, I fell in love with the sport and wanted to keep progressing. I love getting out in front of a crowd during competition and cheering on friends.
What is your training regimen? I train a split shift AM & PM, and a total of 32 hours a week. I started doing the split shift schedule in 3rd grade
What is your favorite event? Without question, uneven bars
What is your favorite skill? My full in dismount off bars.
What music do you use for your floor routine? Andante Rumba
Who is your favorite gymnast or who is your “idol”? My favorite gymnast is Laurie Hernandez, because I love watching her compete floor and beam, and her vault and bars are amazing.
How have you grown as a gymnast during your career, both skill wise and mentally? Skill wise, I think I have progressed a lot and I love the thrill of learning new/difficult skills. Mentally, gymnastics has taught me not to give up when you can’t do something at first, and you can’t think too much about it or else it will get inside your head. Focus and work hard, then the results will come.
How has gymnastics helped you as a person? It has taught me to be a good listener and that it is important to have good sportsmanship and be a supportive teammate.
If you had to select one life-lesson that gymnastics has taught you, what would it be? The harder you work for something, the greater you’ll feel when you finally achieve it!
What are your biggest accomplishments or best memories in your career? I made it to 2016 Hopes Championship and competed on podium for the first time, and qualifying to 2018 Nastia Liukin Cup.
What grade are you in school? I am in the 8th grade right now.
Do you want to compete in collegiate gymnastics? Yes, definitely!!
What are your favorite subjects, etc.? Math and Spanish.
If you plan to go to college, do you know what you want to study there? Yes! Right now I want to go into the medical field, I’m not sure if I will change my mind.
What are your goals for the future, both as an athlete and after you are finished competing? My goal in the future is to obtain a division 1 scholarship and compete in college while getting an education, then to get a good job.
When you’re not in the gym, how do you enjoy spending your time? Do you have any hobbies or favorite activities? In summer I love to swim or go on a bike ride with my sister. In winter I love going ice skating and snow sledding with friends. I also like arts and crafts and making projects and take pictures of sunsets.
What is your favorite food? I love steak and pasta.
What is your favorite movie? The Maze Runner.
What is your favorite book? Orbiting Jupiter.
What is your favorite kind of music? Electronic dance music (EDM).
Are any of your family members current or former athletes? Which sports? My older sister is a competitive Allstars cheerleader.
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? My 3 favorite songs at the moment are All Falls Down, The Spectre and Sing Me to Sleep, all by Alan Walker. I love listening to music with a good beat. I listen to super pumped up music before a meet to get my energy level up.
If you had to pick 3 words to describe yourself as a gymnast, what are they? As a gymnast: Fearless, hard working & dedicated. As a person: funny, friendly & easy going