INTERVIEW: Elizabeth Price
INTERVIEW: Elizabeth Price
We caught up with Elizabeth Price before trials and asked her a few questions about her preparations. She trains at Parkettes and is a first year senior. Price has huge tumbling skills in her floor routine (double-double, double layout) and a well executed Amanar vault. She has gotten a lot of attention since the Secret Classic and Visa Championships. Though seen as an underdog in the competition, she may sneak in to clench a spot on the 2012 Olympic Team.
Q: You are a first year senior who placed 5th in the all-around at the Secret Classic's and Visa Championships, did you ever imagine yourself placing top 5?
Q: You are a first year senior who placed 5th in the all-around at the Secret Classic's and Visa Championships, did you ever imagine yourself placing top 5?
A: No, I have to say I never thought it would happen. I never pictured that happening. I did pretty good at both meets so I wasn't that suprised.
Q: What gymnast influenced you when you were young?
A: Well, I never had a specific person that I really looked up too, just all the girls who were Olympians or World Champions. I really looked up to them.
Q: You have been at Parkettes since you began gymnastics, how are your relationships with your coaches?
A: I have known all my coaches for so long. We're really close, everyone feels like family to me.
It's really great to know that I have people who will be here for me no matter what.
A clipping from an old Parkettes yearbook - Elizabeth Price (far left) with her level 4 team. Photo from Parkettes.
Q: Parkettes has had an Olympic Trials competitor since 1976, how does it feel to be continuing on with the tradition?
A: It's great to know that I'm the one this year to go on to represent Parkettes at Trials.
Q: What is your mindset going into trials?
A: I'm just looking to do everything that I have been doing, being consistent and doing my best routines when it counts.
Q: What are you focusing on in the gym?
A: I'm just focusing on really nailing my execution in my routines and my consistency.
Q: Are you planning anything new for trials?
A: No, everything should be the same.
Q: Your double double on floor looks effortless. Have you ever tried to lay it out?
A: Yeah, awhile back before I started putting a routine together I did do a couple layed out.
Q: What do you think would be your greatest assest to the U.S. Olympic Team?
A: I think I defintely have strong routines on vault, floor and bars.
Q: What has been your biggest challenge in gymnastics?
A: My biggest challenge would be overcoming beam. When I was little, I was really scared of beam, so being able to get everything done without having fear is a big accomplishment.
Q: What is your favorite skill to perform on any of the events?
A: I'd say the double double on floor.
Q: Being a first year senior, do you feel that you have more to prove than girls who have been around longer?
A: I think where I placed at Classics and Championships proves it pretty much.
Q: If you weren't a gymnast, what would you be doing?
A: I'm not really sure. I've never really thought about life not being a gymnast.
Q: What is one thing people should watch from you at trials?
A: I think people should watch for big routines on everything.