University of North Carolina Athletics
Gymnastics Spotlight: Krista Jasper
March 24, 2011 | Women's Gymnastics
March 24, 2011
Junior Krista Jasper has had a career season for the Tar Heels in 2011. She competed all-around for the first time, performing so well that she was named second-team all EAGL on balance beam as well as all-around. She helped her team win their second-consecutive EAGL Championship placing fifth all-around by scoring a 9.850 on floor and a 9.750 on balance beam.
Krista Jasper and the rest of Carolina Gymnastics hope to continue this success at Regionals April 2, in Oklahoma.
Coach Derek Galvin on Krista Jasper: Krista is fighter; she is an extremely competitive gymnast. She wants to give her very best each time she steps out on the floor. She has also overcome some injuries in the past. She is one of those people who you know what you're going to get—every time she is going to give you her very best effort and she is going to do it confidently. As long as her body is able to do the skills, they are going to be done all out. It's fun to watch her compete; she is a very artistic gymnast. She and Morgan both are beautiful to watch on floor. Their gymnastics have powerful, athletic skills; the tumbling that they both do is very strong tumbling. They are both very graceful and elegant in the way they dance and perform.
TarHeelBlue.com: What was winning the EAGL for the second time like?
Krista Jasper: It was very exciting of course. Going into the meet, I kind of went in with the mindset that we were going to win. I think our entire team wanted that too. We had a team meeting and we had 68 reasons why we should win it, I think that pumped us up and made us focus. We really pulled it together as a team and won.
THB.com: What was it like going in as an underdog and winning it all?
KJ: To be honest I didn't even know where we were ranked going into that meet. I don't think it would have made a difference to me or my team because it's not a matter of where you are ranked going in, it's how much heart your team has. I think we proved how much heart we had and how much we wanted to win.
THB.com: You were injured during the Maryland meet, what was it like performing on bars at the EAGL not having practiced it in over a week and doing so well?
KJ: I sprained my wrist at Maryland so I didn't really get to train all week. But the EAGL is my favorite meet of the year and I have been looking forward to this all season so I wasn't going to let that stop me. With the help from my coaches, my trainers and my teammates support I just took it easy and did a lot of mental visualization. I really just believed in myself so when the day came I kinda sucked up the pain. It was really my determination and my want, my desire to help this team win that really produced some great routines from me and my team.
THB.com: You were named second-team EAGL beam and all-around, what does that honor mean to you?
KJ: That means a lot to me, its funny because it was kinda unexpected. Usually my specialty is floor and so I'm used to getting that. To get it on beam is really an honor because it has been my weakest event in gymnastics overall. To be so consistent this year and over the years to work really hard, it paid off. It was my first year competing all-around and just to be named is an honor because I enjoy doing all four events.
THB.com: What is your favorite event?
KJ: Floor exercise. It's a combination of things, I am a Dramatic Arts major, I love drama and I love dancing. I love the fact that floor, as much as it's a sport, it's also a performance. And I get to show off that performance when I compete floor. It's artistic in itself so I get to show both my athleticism and my creative side.
THB.com: What do you want to do after you graduate?
KJ: I want to be an actress, I want to perform. I have experience with both theater and film so I like both. I want to move to New York so I'll just audition and see where I turn out.
THB.com: Have you seen any recent performances around campus?
KJ: Yes and I was in a play last semester for lab theater, “Playing for Time.” That was my first time in a UNC production and it was a great experience. I get used to hanging out with all athletes but this time I got to hang out with drama students. It made me definitely I know for sure that that's the career I want to do.
THB.com: You broke 39 as an all-around for the first time against Pittsburgh, how have you progressed as an all-arounder?
KJ: Its definitely getting stronger as the season went on. I think it's more a factor of just being confident in myself and each week getting more excited and just wanting to do the best for my team.
THB.com: How have you grown as a gymnast throughout your time at Carolina?
KJ: I have always pushed myself really hard and not known when to stop and when to listen to my body and I think college has helped me, especially Derek and my teammates, to relax more. Just to take it easier and be more confident mentally instead of just doing more repetitions.
THB.com: What's your favorite thing about being a UNC gymnast?
KJ: The girls, the coaches and the trainers. I just think all around we have great staff, I love this team and I think we are one of the most cohesive teams in Carolina history. And that's hard with a lot of girls on a team, we spend so much time with each other but we get along and have a great time. I think it shows up in our gymnastics.
THB.com: What has been your favorite community service event so far?
KJ: When we went to an elementary school over spring break. We read to 3rd and 4th graders. That was so exciting for me because I love kids. I babysit and nanny during the summer so it was just great. When I was in elementary school I remember how fun it was to just goof off with your friends and they are so cute and they didn't even really care about the book, they just wanted to ask me questions. It was so much fun.
THB.com: What is the mindset of the team heading into Regionals?
KJ: Definitely we are going to make it to Nationals. I think we proved at EAGLS how you can come in as an underdog and overcome anything. I think we have just as much of a chance of making Nationals as any other team out there. I'm excited to prove to everyone that we are capable of making Nationals as well.
