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2018 Gymnastics Roster
Kaitlynn Hedelund
- Position:
- AA
- Class:
- Senior
- Hometown:
- Chesapeake, Va.
As a Junior
Competed on vault, uneven bars, and beam in every meet for North Carolina • Set a career-high score on vault once with a score of 9.900 and on beam twice with scores of 9.825 and 9.875 • Scored no less than 9.625 on vault throughout the entire season • Earned vault scores of at least 9.750 eight times, at least 9.800 six times and at least 9.850 three times • Received a score of 9.750 or greater six times including three scores of 9.825 and two of 9.850 • Earned at least 9.800 on four vault performances in addition to one score of 9.750 against Pittsburgh • Scored in the top 10 on vault in nine meets, on bars in seven competitions and on beam in five • Earned a top-five score six times on vault and bars and four times on beam and a top-three score four times on vault and bars and once on beam • Tied for first-place honors on beam with a score of 9.875 against New Hampshire • Earned first-place honors on vault twice in back-to-back competitions against William & Mary with scores of 9.850 and 9.900 (career-high) • Recipient of EAGL Academic Honors for the third consecutive year • Awarded first-team all-EAGL honors for vault and second-team all-EAGL honors for the uneven bars
As a Sophomore
Qualified for NCAA Regionals for the second consecutive year, where she tied for 11th place on the uneven bars with a score of 9.825 • Competed in the all-around during four meets • Won the all-around competition against William & Mary on Jan. 10, where she notched a career-high of 39.150 • Was injured during a majority of the season, which prevented her from competing on the vault or floor exercise • Notched a career-high of 9.900 on the uneven bars at the Lindsey Ferris Invitational on Jan. 17 • Finished first place on the uneven bars on four occasions during the season • Won the vault against NC State and William & Mary with a score of 9.875 • Placed in the top-five on the balance beam in three meets • Tied for third place on the uneven bars in the EAGL Championship with a score of 9.825, which earned her first-team All-Tournament honors • Notched a season-best of 9.875 on the vault against NC State and William & Mary • Named to the All-EAGL Scholastic Team for the second consecutive season • Earned second-team All-EAGL honors for the uneven bars • Honored with the Companioni Award and the Coaches’ Award on the uneven bars.
As a Freshman
Competed in all 11 meets • A part of the lineup for all four apparatuses throughout the season, competing on the vault and floor exercise in six meets and the uneven bars and balance beam in 11 • Competed in the all-around in four meets • Posted a career-high score of 39.075 in the all-around against Georgia on Feb. 2 • Earned EAGL Rookie of the Week honors after tying for first in the all-around (38.950) at Pittsburgh • Qualified for the uneven bars at the NCAA Regional meet in Auburn, Ala. where she placed 23rd with a 9.750 • A consistent performer on the uneven bars, scoring a 9.800 or better in seven meets • Notched a career-best score of 9.875 on the bars on Jan. 25 at Towson • Began her freshman season by winning the uneven bars in the first two meets • Tied for third place on the uneven bars at the EAGL Championships on March 22 • Placed in the top-10 on the balance beam in nine meets • Notched a career-high of 9.850 on the vault against William & Mary on Feb. 7 • Earned first-team All-EAGL honors for bars and was named to the second team for the balance beam • Named to the All-EAGL Scholastic Team.
Prep:
Trained at Excalibur Gymnastics in Virginia Beach under the direction of Dena Walker and Gustavo Moure • Two-time Junior Olympic National Team member in 2013 and 2014 • Two-time Region 7 All-Star Team member in 2012 and 2013 • Six-time Junior Olympic qualifier • Placed third in the all-around at the 2014 Junior Olympic national championships with a 10th place on bars, seventh place on beam and 10th place on floor exercise • Was second in the all-around at the 2014 Region 7 meet • 2014 Virginia state champion in all-around, bars, beam and floor • Tied for second in the all-around at the 2013 USA Gymnastics Junior Olympic Level 10 national championships • 2013 Elite Compulsory Qualifier • Placed in the top 10 at the 2012 Junior Olympic national championships where she captured sixth on both vault and balance beam • Junior Olympic NIT bars champion in 2010 • Has an extensive background in dance • Home schooled.
Personal:
Daughter of Don and Kim Hedelund • Born Kaitlynn Amber Hedelund in Norfolk, Va., in 1996 • Began training at Excalibur Gymnastics at the age of 4 • Earned the Hampton Roads Volunteer Achievement Award in 2014 • Served as an Ambassador Girl Scout and earned the Gold Award (equivalent of Eagle Scout) • Two-time recipient of the President's Volunteer Service Award for performing more than 100 hours of community service annually. • Classically trained ballerina • Member of the First Pointe Company (ballet).
Personal Bests:
Vault: 9.900 - 3/04/17 vs. William & Mary
Uneven Bars: 9.900 – 1/17/16 at Lindsey Ferris Invitational
Balance Beam: 9.875 – 2/17/17 vs. New Hampshire
Floor Exercise: 9.850 – 1/10/16 vs. William & Mary
All-Around: 39.150 – 1/10/16 vs. William & Mary
Getting to Know Kaitlynn:
Major: Global Studies with a minors in social and economic justice and education
Career Plans: Elementary school teacher
Nickname: Kait
What is the best thing about being at UNC? My teammates
Away from gymnastics and my academic pursuits, I like to spend time… with my family or friends and watching movies or reading books
My greatest strength as a gymnast is… my tenacity and enthusiasm
Biggest sports thrill and why? Competing in Carmichael. The environment is incredible
Person who had the greatest influence on your career and why: My parents because they are always there for me and they sacrificed so much to get me to the level I am at today
Favorite Book: Mark of the Lion Trilogy by Francine Rivers
Favorite Food: Coffee
Funny or interesting fact about yourself: I could probably do everyone’s floor dance
Favorite class at UNC and why: All of my education classes, but particularly EDUC614: Engaging Teaching Practices because it helped shape my perception of what teaching should be
At what age did you first start participating in gymnastics and what is your earliest memory of gymnastics? Age 3 – my earliest memory was “vaulting” off my jogger trampoline onto my couch while watching the 2000 Olympics
The funniest nickname on the team belongs to: Mekyllah Williams (Swags)
What song would you sing if you were on The Voice? Snap Yo Fingers by Lil Jon feat. Youngbloodz
What reality show would you most like to be on? Flea Market Flip with my mom
My favorite guilty pleasure is: Frozen yogurt
If I could go to dinner with one famous person it would be: Emma Watson
The most interesting person I’ve met at UNC is: Derek Galvin
People say I look like… my mom
Favorite place to visit: The beach with my family
