Gymnastike recently spoke with 5th year senior, Sam Peszek

How has training been going for you this summer? 

For the first time since coming to college I have done summer classes this year. I was involved with a MBA program and internship that was a great opportunity for me. I trained while I was here for the first part of summer. After I completed the internship I took some time off to rest and recover. I have been focusing on healing and rehab. 

 

What did you take into account to decide to come back for your 5th year? 

It was a big decision for me- not because of my love for the sport or lack of motivation. I will always have a passion for the sport of gymnastics. I just wanted to make sure I was ready to 100% commit my life to the discipline that gymnastics requires. My body is getting old and tired and I wanted to make sure I could do it again for another year and have the best possible year. 

 

What do you want to accomplish this year- personally and as a team? 

I would personally love to score a perfect 10 on beam. That is my favorite event that I train the most and take the most serious. I also want to enjoy this year more. Coming from elite gymnastics where it was so serious all the time, it took me a while to learn to have fun and enjoy gymnastics. As my last year, I really want to make sure I enjoy every moment. As a team we have goals to win a national championship and the PAC 12 Championship. I want to do well personally, but more importantly have team success. 

 

How has having another Olympian in Jordyn Wieber around the gym helped you and UCLA? 

It has helped tremendously, she is a great presence to have in the gym. She is a very humble and down to earth person even with all the success she has had. She is very unselfish and makes everything about the team. She is never jealous of anything or complains that she can’t compete. She made the transition to college gymnastics so beautifully. 

 

What are you doing to help your body rest/heal to have a successful year? 

I think I am going to take the same type of approach as I did last year. I have taken it upon myself to have more of an athlete mentality instead of a gymnastics mentality. I have been looking into what foods to eat that will help my body before and after a workout. It has been an experiment, but is helping. I also like to do a variety of workouts - cycling, running, yoga, etc. to mix things up and stay into it. I have been doing hot yoga for years, which helps my body stretch and be more flexible along with keeping my body fresh. 

What type of leadership do you bring to UCLA? 

As a 5th year senior, I feel that a leadership role is really important for me this year. I hope to lead by example along with in meetings and workouts. I also want to be a leader in and out of the gym. I want to instill confidence in my team. I think that this is something we have been lacking in the past years and is needed to have success. I plan to help my team to be confident every time we compete and to trust ourselves!

 

What are you most excited about this year? 

I just can’t wait to get back with my team. We have all be part for the summer and it will be great to get everyone back together. We are like a family and I miss them. I am also excited to see how everyone has improved and progressed over the summer.

 

Anything else you would like to let fans know about you or UCLA? 

I think it is important that people know that gymnastics teaches you so much about life itself. It teaches you to be true to yourself and confident with who you are. This sport teaches you that more than anything else.