University of North Carolina Athletics
Getting To Know You: Sarah Peterson
December 9, 2014 | Women's Gymnastics
By Zoya Johnson, GoHeels.com
GoHeels: What is your hometown and home gym?
Sarah Peterson: My hometown is Huntington, N.Y. My home gym was New Image Gymnastics; coached by Travol Williams.
GoHeels: Tell us how you got into gymnastics, your experience in club and the lead up to your recruitment.
SP: I started gym when I was seven years old, which is relatively old for gymnastics. Most people start around age two or three. I was in girl scouts and one of the activities involved a field trip to a gym. I ended up having a great time, so my mom signed me up to take a few classes.
As far as club training goes, I have had a pretty unique experience in that even though I've had the same coach since I was a level seven up until I graduated from high school we ended up switching gym a lot. At one point we were switching from gym to gym once a year. That was pretty difficult, but I was always with the same coach and same teammates. My coach and I were very close. I grew up with him and thought of him as a second dad. I give Travol credit for most of the success that I have been privileged to have in gymnastics. He shaped me into the gymnast I am today.
GoHeels: How and why did you pick Carolina?
SP: Before I was recruited by Coach Derek, I honestly did not know much about UNC. However once I came on my unofficial visit and meet Coach Derek and all the girls, I was hooked. I knew right away that UNC was the school I was going to choose.
I choose this school because of the opportunities that are available at UNC, with such rigorous athletic and academic programs.
GoHeels: What is your favorite event and why?
SP: My favorite event is vault because it is all about power. I love running down the runway as fast as you can and exploding off the vault table. It's one of the best feelings.
GoHeels: What about being a part of Carolina Gymnastics has been the most exciting thus far?
SP: Most exciting for me is to be a part of such a great program. Through Carolina gymnastics, I have been able to meet amazing people. I am so close with all of the girls and feel so privileged to be able to call them my family.
What is so special about this year is that we are in the process of changing the image of the program to have a more competitive image and with more depth, talent and greater attention to detail I think we are developing that. We've put a lot of work in this preseason I can't wait to see what is in store for us.
GoHeels: What about being a part of the Carolina athletics community makes you most proud?
SP: Everyone in the Carolina community is rooting for the success of the student athletes. There are so many resources available between those in the Loudermilk Center for Excellence, Stallings-Evans and through The Baddour Carolina Leadership Academy. It is really something special to be a part of an athletic community that provides you with so many opportunities and gives you the resources to succeed both athletically and academically.
GoHeels: What is your favorite class and professor and why?
SP: My favorite class was ENGL 131 with Gaby because this professor allowed her students to express themselves freely through poetry. Her teaching style was so positive and enthusiastic.
GoHeels: What is your favorite sporting event to go to and why?
SP: I love going to volleyball games because I know a lot of girls on the team. The games are very exciting and intense to watch.
GoHeels: What is your “Favorite” body by Biener exercise? (Eric Biener is the team's strength and conditioning coach
SP: My “favorite” body by Beiner exercise is step ladder because we are all so uncoordinated (especially me) and it is hilarious to watch us all attempt it.
GoHeels: What are you looking forward to accomplishing while at Carolina?
SP: I am hoping that I will be able to compete in the all-around. I have been putting in a ton of work in on all the events during this preseason and it would be awesome to be able to help my team out as much as I can.
GoHeels: Tell us something about yourself you think people would be surprised to find out.
SP: I have a scary obsession with Beyoncé.
GoHeels: What is your favorite Carolina memory thus far?
SP: My favorite Carolina memories come from the home meets. Carmichael Arena is such a great venue to compete in and I love connecting with our fans.
Players Mentioned
