University of North Carolina Athletics
Gymnastics Spotlight of the Week: Christine Nguyen
March 8, 2007 | Women's Gymnastics
March 8, 2007
1) How does club gymnastics compare to collegiate gymnastics?
"In club gymnastics I would train approximately 6 ½ hours a day and 6 days a week, but in collegiate gymnastics we are only allowed up to 4 hours a day, and we train 4 days a week. As you can see this does not allow us as much time to train, and we have to learn how to adjust to the time change and still be able to accomplish what needs to be done during practice."
2) Has it been hard adjusting to the new college format?
"Well, in the beginning it took me awhile to adjust to getting everything done in 4 hours, but now I am starting to adjust to learning how to work smarter and move a little quicker than I would back in club."
3) How did you get started in gymnastics?
"When I was younger I was a very active child and my parents were scared that I would hurt myself, so after talking to a couple of people, they recommended that I should be put into some kind of sport. And somehow gymnastics seemed to be the one."
4) What is your favorite and least favorite event? And why?
"My favorite event is the beam. I have just always had a liking for the balance beam since I was little; maybe because of the challenge that it brings. I am not quiet sure why I like the beam, but I just do. Bars are my least favorite event."
5) You've already been named EAGL Rookie of the Week three times this season. How does that feel?
"Being named EAGL rookie of the week is an honor. I greatly appreciate it, and it gives me more confidence in helping the team achieve our goal of Nationals."
6) What is your earliest gymnastics memory?
"Being scared of doing a cartwheel on the high beam."
7) Do you have any pre-meet rituals or superstitions?
"I ask God to look over our team, keep us safe, and help us do the best we can."
8) What was it like to be on the 2006 U.S. National Team?
"Making the 2006 U.S. National Team was the greatest accomplishment that I have achieved in gymnastics. I had been working my entire career for that one moment and when it happened, I was so thrilled that words cannot even begin to describe how I was feeling."
9) What was your experience like competing at the 2006 Visa Championships?
"It was an unforgettable experience, and it felt as if all of my hard work had finally paid off. I was not as nervous as I was happy and honored to just be able to be there and to compete with the best gymnasts in the country."
10) Who in the gymnastics world do you look up to the most?
"Even though my sister, Catherine, is younger than me, I admire and respect her because she always works hard, never gives up, and has a positive attitude when things get rough. She has accomplished as much or even more than I have, and she is my idol."
