Friday Focus: Ashleigh Gnat
Friday Focus: Ashleigh Gnat
This week's Friday Focus features LSU sophomore Ashleigh Gnat. Originally from Altamonte Springs, Florida, Gnat comes from a family of gymnasts. Gnat's father was an All-American LSU gymnast, her mother was on the 1972 U.S. Olympic gymnastics team, and her older sister Jeana Rice-Helms was a National Champion and All-American at Alabama (2001-04).
Gnat had an incredibly successful freshman season and consistently competed on vault, beam, and floor for the Tigers. She scored season highs of 9.95 on vault, 9.95 on beam, and 9.925 on floor. She earned first team All-American honors on vault and second team on floor.
What is your favorite memory as a gymnast, so far?
Being in the Super 6 last year.
Have you ever done anything embarrassing in practice? Competition?
I embarrass myself in practice on a day to day basis.
What is your ideal pre-competition meal?
Our pre-competition meal is chicken, rice, and broccoli, and we also get a yogurt parfait. I would say it’s pretty ideal.
Describe your pre-competition routine.
Before meets we take a long time getting ready, doing make up, fixing our hair. My favorite part is blasting music in the locker room and just getting loose with the team.
What is your worst habit in the gym?
Distracting other people
Who are three of your role models outside the gym?
My parents are definitely my biggest role models.
Who are two gymnasts you admire most? Why?
I really admire Nastia Liukin because I love how pretty her gymnastics was. Simone Biles also never fails to impress me; I am literally blown away by her talent.
How do you recover after a hard workout in the gym?
After a hard workout we always get in the ice bath, get treatment on whatever is bothering us and drink chocolate milk.
What’s the #1 most played song on your iPod?
I Don’t Dance by Lee Brice.
If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?
It would be cool if I was good at singing.
What is your biggest fear?
Cockroaches.
What makes you laugh the most?
Usually ridiculous snapchats from my friends
What song would you sing at Karaoke night?
Anything from the NSYNC “No Strings Attached” album.
If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Breakfast, but mostly bacon,
Do you have nicknames? If so, what are they?
My nickname is Bugs because my last name is Gnat, and I have been called that since I can remember. It’s crazy to think that it stuck with me all the way to college.
Are you a clean and organized, or messy person?
A little bit of both.
What three items would you take with you on a deserted island?
My phone, tanning oil, and a hammock
Are you an introvert or extrovert?
Extrovert!
Who is your best friend and how did you meet?
My best friend is Lisa Burt. She does gymnastics at Michigan State. We did club gym together, and we’re still as close as we were when we were 12.
Who do you spend the most time with?
Are you creative in any way? If so, how?