KRISTA COLLINS REACHES FOR THE STARS IN GYMNASTICS

Very few sports require the level of commitment to reach the top as the sport of gymnastics.  One local gymnast knows all about that commitment. Twelve year old Krista Collins has been inside the gym since the age of four and the results are starting to show with her rapid rise to the top.  The daughter of Dave and Jane Collins is only a 7th grader at Weddington Middle School, yet she is already a successful Level 9 gymnast.

So how did all begin and where will Krista go from here?  Let's find out.

"I started gymnastics at the age of 4," Krista said.  "My mom signed me up for a tumbling class when we lived in Illinois.  The rec coaches kept pushing me through to higher levels.  They put me on pre-team to see if I could compete and then I went on from there."

After many years of hard work, Krista has really excelled the last few seasons. Last year as a level 8 gymnast she qualified for the team that represented North Carolina at the Regional meet in Atlanta.  The team consisted of only eight girls.  It was chosen based on performances at the State Meet.  The North Carolina team came in first place in the 8 state region.  Krista had an excellent meet, finishing in 4th out of the 64 gymnasts competing. 

To reach this level of success, Krista must dedicate herself to practice.

"I practice 6 days a week from anywhere between 4 and 4-1/2 hours a day.  Our meet season is quite short. We put in many hours of practice year round to compete in approximately 8 meets per season.  I love my practices because I am with my best friends and teammates.  It takes a lot of discipline because I go right from school to the gym.  I get out of gym between 8:00 and 8:45 each night and then come home eat dinner, do my homework and go to bed."

Leading the practice times for Krista are coaches Ludmilla Shobe, Nikolai Cherchen and Galena Meliakina at Southeastern Gymnastics.

Krista lists her top events as the floor exercise.

"I get to show my personality out there.  I love going out there knowing all eyes are on me and expressing myself."

When asked what event needs the most work, Krista says, "My lowest score usually is on the vault.  I love to vault but no matter how well I think I did it is usually my lowest score."
Another challenge that could be faced by Krista in competition is the older age of some of the competitors.  Krista doesn't let that event cross her mind.

"I try not to be intimidated by anyone. I just go in and stay focused and compete to the best of my ability."

There is a good chance Krista finds that toughness from having three very athletic older brothers.  She found out early on in life that to keep up she had to develop an inner toughness.  Her brothers have all been great supporters as well.

With all this time in the gym, it would be easy for academics to slip, but not for Krista.  Her time management skills have allowed her to stay on the A/B Honor Roll.  She lists Math as her favorite class in school.

The South Charlotte Sports Report salutes Krista Collins for her hard work and dedication inside the gym. The next few years should be very exciting for this hometown gymnast as she tumbles and vaults onto the national stage.  Good Luck Krista!