Q: Do you have a nickname?
A: The Hulk or Li’l H (as in “little Hulk”).
Q: When and why did you first become interested in gymnastics?
A: When I was eight years old, I was watching the 2011 Gymnastics World Championships. I knew then I wanted to try out for gymnastics. I begged my mom for months to let me do gymnastics. After a lot of convincing, she said yes! I started in January 2012.
Q: Do you have any good/funny memories from when you first started taking gymnastics classes?
A: When I was a Level 2, a girl dared me to do a back tuck on the floor. I could do back tucks on our trampoline at home and figured this wouldn’t be much different. I attempted the skill and landed on my knees. The girl told me that it didn’t count because I didn’t land on my feet. So, I did a second back tuck and this time landed on my feet. I looked at the girl and said, “Okay, now it’s your turn.” She attempted to do the back tuck and landed on her face and got mad at me because I was able to land a back tuck and she wasn’t. This is by far one of the funniest memories I have of my gymnastics career.
Q: When did you want to compete at a high level?
A: After watching Aly Raisman at the 2012 Olympics, I knew I wanted to compete elite.
Q: What is your training regimen? Was that a big change when you made the switch to competitive gymnastics?
A: I train 27 hours each week.
Q: What is your favorite event?
A: I love vault and floor.
Q: What is your favorite skill?
A: Double Arabian on floor
Q: Who is your favorite gymnast or who is your “idol”?
A: Simone Biles and Laurie Hernandez.
Q: What are your biggest accomplishments or best memories in your career?
A: Making the Florida State Team for Level 7 Regionals (Regionals was a fun meet); competing in the 2015 Eastern Nationals in Level 9; competing in the 2016 Nationals for Level 10, and being invited to multiple Developmental Camps at the Ranch.
Q: What grade are you in school, and where do you go to school?
A: I am in 8th grade, and I am homeschooled along with my siblings.
Q: What are your favorite subjects, etc.?
A: Math and history.
Q: What is your favorite movie?
A: Finding Dory.
Q: What is your favorite book?
A: The Bible, and Nadia Comaneci’s book Letters to a Gymnast.
Q: What is your favorite music group?
A: Megan Trainor
Q: Do you have any competition rituals? Lucky charms?
A: My oldest sister bought me a stuffed animal three years ago, and I named it Lucky. I take Lucky to nearly every meet.