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Tyler Yamauchi
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Feb. 4, 2008
Throughout the 2008 season, Illinois gymnasts will walk Illini fans through the entire season, giving in depth looks into the team and the season, while also giving gymnastics enthusiasts a closer look into the six different events that make up a gymnastics meet. Overall, the Illini, who have finished in the top five at NCAA Championships the last five straight years, hope to give Orange and Blue fans an exciting ride through the 2008 season as they vie for the programs 10th national title this season.
In the third edition of the Illini Weekly Q & A, 2007 All-American on floor Tyler Yamauchi talks about life inside the gym and his personal goals.
What is your favorite event to compete in?
"Rings, because that's an event that you don't get nervous on. All of your preparation in the weeks before the meet really shows on that event apparatus."
What do you do in the gym to prepare for competition on rings?
"Mostly, I just work on strength and practicing my dismount because it is difficult. Rings is the one event where you know that you are going to hit. Guys don't usually fall off of rings."
Do you have any personal goals for the season?
"Some of the guys on the team, including myself, are going to Winter Cup this week and I'd like to do my best on the events that I compete in. Unfortunately, I'm a little banged up right now so I'm just going to do my best and see where I stand compared to the other college athletes."
Can you talk about the bowling nights that the team has?
"I'm not a very good bowler, anyways, but I when I go there, I say I'm only going to play one game and it gets so intense that I wind up playing three games. After the extreme games, my forearm is sore for workouts the next day and I become anti-bowling. It's just something that we do for fun. It gets the team together for productive competition."
It's your senior year, what do you plan on doing after college?
"I'll probably still around gymnastics, but not competitively. I'm also enrolling in Physical Therapy school eventually, so it would be hard to balance competitive gymnastics and PT school."
