By Staff Writer John Conway

https://vimeo.com/84137030

This week, “The North Star” caught up with sophomore Anneli Kawaoka, varsity gymnast.  Last weekend, Kawaoka took 6th in all-around at the Naperville North Invite. As girls gymnastics begins preparation for the post-season, Kawaoka is unsure what her future holds for the sport.

Q: What’s the best thing about your sport?
A: The best thing about my sport are the challenges that you face every day, in and out of the gym. Overall, it kind of just helps you.

Q: What’s the worst thing about your sport?
A: The injuries, definitely. And every single day, training as hard as we do, you kind of just oversee everything, and wear it out.

Q: How far are you looking to take your sport?
A: I’m not really sure, yet. I think that my parents really want me to go to the collegiate level, but I don’t know, since I quit club.

Q: What important contributions do you make to your sport?
A: I think that my all around definitely helps. I contribute higher scores, and more of a positive center during meets, and stuff.

Q: How have you evolved as an athlete over the years
A: I think I have become more consistent, and more confident by competing [club] levels some years, and working through the summer.

Q: What coaches/mentors have inspired you over the years?
A: I had my two coaches from my club, Jessica Holtz and Marco Bravo, and they have had me since I was little. They kind of have trained me to my personal style and help me deal with things and push through.