Abigail Brenner

2017

Abigail Brenner

Hometown:
Lewisville, Texas

Age:
17

Gym:
Metroplex
Allen, Texas

Qualifying Meet:
Metroplex Challenge

            Bio

Q: Do you have a nickname?
A:
Abs

Q: When and why did you first become interested in gymnastics?
A:
When I was young, my mom decided to enroll me in gymnastics – she thought it would be a good avenue to release my energy.

Q: Do you have any good/funny memories from when you first started taking gymnastics classes?
A:
Compulsory Competition – I could never remember my floor routine and always looked at my coach for direction.

Q: 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?
A:
As gymnasts, we put so many hours into our training and competition is the chance to show everyone what we can do.

Q: What is your training regimen? Was that a big change when you made the switch to competitive gymnastics?
A:
As a gymnast, I have learned that to keep my skills consistent, I like to do more numbers in the gym. This helps with my confidence in my gymnastics.

Q: What is your favorite event?
A:
Floor

Q: What is your favorite skill?
A:
Jaeger on bars.

Q: What music do you use for your floor routine?
A:
Upbeat and fun.

Q: Who is your favorite gymnast or who is your “idol”?
A:
My favorite gymnast is Laurie Hernandez because she looks like she is always enjoying herself.

Q: How have you grown as a gymnast during your career, both skill wise and mentally?
A:
Gymnastic is a very mental sport, and I am continuing to work on that aspect. Skills came easier than the mental aspect, for me.

Q: How has gymnastics helped you as a person?
A:
Gymnastics had helped me with time management and self-confidence.

Q: If you had to select one life-lesson that gymnastics has taught you, what would it be?
A:
That hard work and dedication pay off in the end.

Q: What are your biggest accomplishments or best memories in your career?
A:
Being 2-time National Champion on floor, 3-time JO national team member, and now 2 time Nastia qualifier.

Q: What grade are you in school, and where do you go to school?
A:
Junior, at Spring Creek Academy.

Q: Do you want to compete in collegiate gymnastics?
A:
Yes, I am currently committed to the University of Michigan – GO BLUE!!!

Q: What are your favorite subjects, etc.?
A:
Literature and writing

Q: If you plan to go to college, do you know what you want to study there?
A:
Sports medicine and/or sports management.

Q: What are your goals for the future, both as an athlete and after you are finished competing?
A:
I want to help bring Michigan back to the Super 6. After college, I would like to continue working in the sports field.

Q: When you’re not in the gym, how do you enjoy spending your time?
A:
I like to bake.

Q: Do you have any hobbies or favorite activities? Charities?
A:
I love to travel! Special Olympics is the charity that I’ve worked a lot with.

Q: What is your favorite food?
A:
Asian

Q: What is your favorite movie?
A:
Remember the Titans

Q: What is your favorite book?
A:
Of Mice and Men

Q: What is your favorite music group?
A:
Zac Brown Band

Q: Are any of your family members current or former athletes? Which sports?
A:
My dad and brother both played football and baseball. My mom was a gymnast and ran track.

Q: Do you have any competition rituals? Lucky charms?
A:
White ribbon in my hair

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?
A:
Country is currently on my IPod. I usually listen to today’s hits to pump me up.

Q: If you had to pick 3 words to describe yourself as a gymnast, what are they?
A:
Positive, Perseverance, Leader

2016

Abigail Brenner

Hometown:
Lewisville, Texas

Age:
16

Gym:
Metroplex
Allen, Texas

Qualifying Meet:
Chicago Style Meet

            Bio

Name: Abigail Brenner
Age: 16
Hometown: Maple Grove, Minn.

Q: Do you have a nickname?
A: Abby or Brenner

Q: When and why did you first become interested in gymnastics?
A: My mom was a gymnast and a coach so I thought that I would enjoy the sport.

Q: Do you have any good/funny memories from when you first started taking gymnastics classes?
A: In my first year of competing compulsory, I could never remember my floor routine. I had to look at my coach so she could help me remember and point me in the right direction.

Q: 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?
A: I did not like competing until I made it to the optional level. Once in the optional level, with success, I learned to enjoy competing. The ability for me to reach the goals I have set is what I like about competition.

Q: What is your training regimen? Was that a big change when you made the switch to competitive gymnastics?
A: The increase in hours taught me to balance academics and gymnastics.

Q: What is your favorite event?
A: Floor

Q: What is your favorite skill?
A: A Yurchenko one-and-a-half vault

Q: Who is your favorite gymnast or who is your “idol”?
A: I have always looked up to the older gymnasts at Twin City Twisters such as Jessie DeZiel, Bree Hughes, Hollie Blanski, and Bailee Zumbwald. The person who has made the biggest impact on me is my current teammate, Maddie Karr. I am continually impressed by her daily competiveness and ability to focus during competition. She has motivated and helped shape me into the athlete I am today.

Q: How have you grown as a gymnast during your career, both skill wise and mentally?
A: I am most proud of the mental strength I have gained over the years through competition.

Q: How has gymnastics helped you as a person?
A: Gymnastics has taught me a lot in life such as time management, perseverance, goal setting, and self-confidence.

Q: If you had to select one life-lesson that gymnastics has taught you, what would it be?
A: Time management

Q: What are your biggest accomplishments or best memories in your career?
A: Winning floor at Junior Olympic Nationals in 2014 and being a two-time J.O. National team member.

Q: What grade are you in school, and where do you go to school?
A: 10th grade at Providence Academy in Plymouth Minn.

Q: Do you want to compete in collegiate gymnastics?
A: Yes, I have verbally comitted to the University of Michigan

Q: What are your favorite subjects, etc.?
A: Science – Biology and Chemistry

Q: If you plan to go to college, do you know what you want to study there?
A: Kinesiology

Q: What are your goals for the future, both as an athlete and after you are finished competing?
A: I want to compete in college gymnastics for the University of Michigan and hopefully make it to the Super Six. As for after gymnastics, I would like to travel the world before settling down to work and have a family.

Q: When you’re not in the gym, how do you enjoy spending your time? Do you have any hobbies or favorite activities?
A: I spend my Sunday afternoons coaching Special Olympics gymnastics and on my free time I enjoy baking.

Q: What is your favorite food?
A: Asian food

Q: What is your favorite music group?
A: Zac Brown Band

Q: Are any of your family members current or former athletes? Which sports?
A: My brother, Jack, was the center and middle linebacker for out high school football team as well as the catcher for the baseball team.

Q: Do you have any competition rituals? Lucky charms?
A: I wear a white bow in my hair for competition.

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?
A: Country music – it always puts me in a good mood.

Q: If you had to pick 3 words to describe yourself as a gymnast, what are they?
A: Strong, driven and focused

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