Having had four classes together last year, I saw my classmate Youyou Ding almost every day. Between sitting next to her in Kim Kerr’s AP US History and watching her whiz through AP Physics problems, watching her genius up close was just typical behavior. However, occasionally this routine was broken as sometimes, she was nowhere to be found on campus for consecutive days! As it turns out, Ding’s talents extend beyond academics, propelling her to greatness in gymnastics. A recent commit to the Air Force Academy’s D1 gymnastics program, her effortless flair and limitless hard work are evident both in the classroom and out on the mats. This issue, I was lucky enough to land an interview with the outstanding senior!
What is one unexpected thing that gymnastics has brought into your life that you are grateful for?
One unexpected thing that gymnastics has brought me is lifelong friendship with my teammates. I’ve met people that I will continue to be with even after gymnastics, teammates that I know I can rely on even in the future.
What moment(s) are you most proud of? Why?
My most proud moments include qualifying for the Westerns National Championships twice as well as being able to commit to a D1 college to continue doing gymnastics!
Are you superstitious? If so, what is one thing you have to do before competing?
I’m not that superstitious but I always listen to music before competitions. It helps me relax and get in a good mood before competing.
What is one piece of advice you would give to someone who also wants to do gymnastics in college?
One piece of advice is to never give up and keep going even through difficult times. The road is not smooth, but by working even during bumpy times, it’s a step towards the final goal of college gymnastics.
Have you ever experienced any mental roadblocks/challenges in general, and if you have, how did you overcome them?
Mental roadblocks are inevitable when doing gymnastics. I overcome them by not overthinking and shifting my focus for a couple of days so I don’t get really stressed about it.
How have you managed the stress that comes with being a high-level athlete?
I’ve managed my stress by always taking time to relax throughout the week. I use Sundays to help set up the week and get a head start so I’m less stressed throughout the week.
Where is the furthest you’ve travelled for a competition?
The furthest I’ve traveled for a competition is Texas, but I also travel to Las Vegas and Southern California multiple times a year.
Do you have a favorite airplane “routine”?
My favorite airplane routine is binging whatever show that I’m currently watching as well as ordering apple juice on the plane.
