Athletics are a key part of the Madison High School community. Pep rally’s, big games, and being part of a team brings our school together and makes it a tight knit community. While many people follow football, field hockey, soccer, lacrosse, and the other sports at Madison, few know about the sports our students do outside of school. In fact, many students at Madison are a part of the Madison YMCA Gymnastics Team and dedicate just as much, or more, time to their sport as the rest of the athletes at Madison. Madison Dodger Online (MDO) had the opportunity to ask one very talented gymnast, Julia Chinni (JC) about her experience as a gymnast.

MDO: When did you start gymnastics and why?

JC: I started when I was 3. My dad saw me flipping on the swingset in our backyard so he told my mom to put me in gymnastics

MDO: How many hours a week do you practice?

JC: I practice for 13 or 14 hours a week, but I also work teaching the younger classes for 13.5 hours a week.

MDO: What’s a typical day of practice like?

JC: Typically we get there at around 5:15 and then at 5:30 we do a conditioning circuit that usually takes about 15-20 minutes. Then we stretch for like twenty minutes and go on 3 or 4 events for about 45 minutes each. Then, at the end, we do more conditioning for about 45 minutes

MDO: When is your competition season?

JC: Competitions usually start in December or January and end in July when we go to nationals. We usually have about 10 meets a year. At each meet I compete in floor, bars, beam, and vault.

MDO: What are your accomplishments in your gymnastics career?

JC: When i was in level 8 (there are 9 levels) I qualified for two all around finals at nationals and in level 9 I’ve gotten 3rd on bars for two years in a row out of around 50 people also at nationals.

MDO: Outside of the gym, what do you do for gymnastics?

JC I workout a lot with my Dad or my teammates sometimes, but also by myself.  I also eat healthy and I hang out with teammates a lot because we’re all really close since we spend so much time together.

MDO: What advice would you tell someone that wants to start gymnastics?

JC: I would tell them that it is a lot of commitment and it’s not easy, but it’s worth it. I’ve made so many friends and when you beat your personal best or help your team win it’s really gratifying after putting in so much time.

MDO: Do you plan on continuing gymnastics after high school?

JC: Possibly club in college.

MDO: What is your favorite thing about doing gymnastics?

JC: My team

Julia clearly loves gymnastics and has put years of work into becoming the gymnast she is today. Gymnastics is a very big commitment, but Julia and her teammates have formed their own tight knit community and love working hard toward their goals. Madison Dodger Online wishes her and her team good luck in the upcoming competition season. Thanks, Julia, for sitting down and sharing your story with us!