Olivia started gymnastics at the age of 3 at The Little Gym in Scarsdale, NY. By 5 years old, Olivia was doing standing tucks and displaying tremendous talent in the sport. Someone at her recreational class recommended that she try competitive gymnastics. At this age she was great at tumbling but had no idea where gymnastics would take her.
Fast forward to 2017 -- Olivia was pretty set on quitting gymnastics. She had just finished her first level 9 season. She felt down and defeated about not living up to her own expectations. Olivia's parents wanted to try one last thing before they let her leave gymnastics forever -- they changed gyms. The decision to take her over an hour away from home to North Stars Gymnastics Academy in NJ, would be a big sacrifice but worth the try. The first 30 days at Olivia's new gym were rough. There was so much for Olivia to learn and revamp before the season began. She was not used to this type of practice or work ethic. Every day she was nervous to point of headache and it seemed to be the end of gymnastics for such a gifted girl. It was heartbreaking. Something happened after that 30-day trial. Olivia was excited again. She couldn't wait to get to practice. She was talking about her future in gymnastics again. North Stars had turned Olivia into her alter ego, "STORM," once again! (A powerful nickname for such a humble girl).
The 2017-18 gymnastics session began and Olivia was off to a great start. She still struggled on certain events but overall looked like a rock star. Olivia's coaches were slowly building her confidence back up. Mid season, Olivia was on a roll but then two weeks before the NJ State competition, BAM, she landed short in her double back tuck, spraining her ankle. She missed the two gymnastics meets leading to States and wasn't sure if she could perform all events at the meet. Olivia went to States and fell on floor, and beam. It was a shaky meet! She managed to qualify for the Regionals competion next. At Regionals, Olivia was ready and got her record high scores on vault, floor and AA. She now was feeling ready for Eastern Nationals. Walking into Nationals, Olivia turned to her mom and said "I'm not nervous. I'm going to win." She went out there and did just that! Olivia won floor and the AA at Eastern Nationals.
Olivia feels good about her future in gymnastics, and has set some big goals. Still driving over an hour each way to the gym she now calls home, Olivia is grateful for the support on the path ahead. Winning Gymnast of the Year would be an honor for a regular, degular, schmegular girl from the Bronx just trying her best to reach her goals.
