“The happiest people don’t neccessarily have the best of everything, but they make the most of everything.”  This is quote that has guided me….I was determined to make the most of this amazing opportunity in front of me!

Going into the Western National Championship, I only had one goal and focus in mind…to hit 4 for 4 on my events!  I knew if I hit 4 for 4, then there would be nothing else I could do.  The rest would be up to the judges from there.

When I walked into the arena, I knew no matter what happened that I had to turn the page and move on.   It was so cool to be competing with the best gymnasts in the nation and representing Region 3!   I wanted to take full advantage of this incredible opportunity.

I was a little nervous, because I started on beam and was second up!  I hit my beam routine and I was very proud of myself because I didn’t let my nerves get the best of me.   Now it was on to floor.  I was last to go on floor.  It was also the last time I would compete this routine, as I am getting a new routine for next season.  I wanted to go out there and perform like there was no tomorrow!  I felt great after I hit my floor routine.  I gave it everything I had.

Next, it was on to vault.  I had one of my best vaults of the season and to top it off, I stuck my landing!   My meet was going excellent, but I still had one event left and needed to stay focused.  Bars was bitter sweet as I look back now, because it was the last time my bar coach would coach me as she is moving to California.   I’m glad she got to see me hit my bar routine one last time.  When I landed my dismount, it was one of the best feelings in the world.

I accomplished my goal!  Hitting 4 for 4 helped me get 9th in the all around, 8th on bars and floor, and 5th on vault.  I also stuck every dismount.  I feel so incredibly blessed and thank God that I got to experience this incredible moment and create memories that I will never forget.

The last few weeks, I have been working on upgrades.  I have been working really hard on getting new skills, because my goal is to make it to level 10 and qualify for Nationals next season.

One of my favorite quotes is “The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a gymnasts determination.”

I AM DETERMINED