Senior Spotlight: Auburn's Kullen Hlawek
Senior Spotlight: Auburn's Kullen Hlawek
In this ongoing series, FloGymnastics spotlights this year's NCAA seniors heading into their final season. Next up is Auburn's Kullen Hlawek.
In this ongoing series, FloGymnastics spotlights this year's NCAA seniors heading into their final season. Next up is Auburn's Kullen Hlawek.
A senior from Fulshear, Texas, Hlawek has been a solid contributor on beam and floor during her college career for the Tigers. She has also seen time in the vault and bar lineups. Hlawek has an impressive career high of 9.925 on floor, which came in 2015.
Hlawek has been a part of several record-breaking teams at Auburn, including the Tigers' 2015 squad that earned a Super Six berth for the first time in 22 years. Hlawek is also a standout in the classroom and is majoring in aerospace engineering. Watch for Hlawek to be an impact senior this year for the Tigers, who are looking to continue their breakout success.
Check out Hlawek's floor routine for this year:
FloGymnastics: What is your major? When are you graduating?
Kullen Hlawek: Major: Aerospace engineering. I will graduate May 2017.
What have you learned about yourself in your time at Auburn?
I have learned a lot about being on my own. I have also learned to have fun and to let things go that I can't control.
What is your role on the team this season as a senior?
My role is unique, because I do not practice with the team very often. I have a very different class load, so I often practice by myself. So I often take a backseat which allows me to see things from the outside. I am still providing leadership in any way that I can to help my team.
What is your biggest accomplishment personally?
Graduating on time! Aerospace takes five years for most to graduate. So for me to be able to balance school and gymnastics and graduate on time is a huge accomplishment for me.
What are you still looking to accomplish this season?
I am looking to move back in some of our lineups this season. I want to be able to help in any place that I can. I would love to be able to work my way into the vault lineup this season.
What is your favorite part about competition day?
The whole day is fun! I love getting ready and dancing with my teammates before the meet. Before we march out we get together as a team and do a big team cheer. We also get into a screaming match to see who can scream the loudest. We love to have fun on meet day and not take ourselves too serious.
How have your coaches at Auburn helped you become a better gymnast?
Every way! From basic gymnastics such as my form and performance. They have taught me how to let go of things that I can't control (scores) and to not worry about those things. I have learned to have fun and my coaches have helped me with that too.
You have a unique major with aerospace engineering. What do you want to do with that major?
I have always been an engineering person who loves math and science. I also love flying with gymnastics! I want to work with some type of defense such as missiles or weapons.
How do you like to spend your time outside of the gym?
I love to bake! I also love movies. I have quite an extensive DVD collection. My favorite movie is "Pirates of the Caribbean."
What is one word to describe your attitude/personality in the gym?
Leader (one of them).
What motivates you in and out of the gym?
My team -- we do everything for each other. They want you to do your best and will help you in any way that they can.
What are your team goals this year?
Make the night session of SEC Championships. Make Super Six and be one of the top four teams in the country. We want to keep breaking records.
What has it been like to be a part of the teams at Auburn that have been able to break so many records?
To watch this program grow and change has been incredible! We have worked so hard for it and to see our hard work pay off has been so rewarding. We have really made a huge change in the four years that I have been here.
WATCH: Kullen Hlawek On the Impressive Evolution of Auburn's Program
Why would you tell a future recruit to come to Auburn?
We are a big family here at Auburn. I have never seen an athletic department that is so involved and supportive. We are friends with all involved in our sport and have such a great connection with the Auburn community as well.
Anything else you would like to share?
We really do have the best coaching staff here at Auburn. They are more than coaches to us; they are like our parents too. They always treat us like adults and are always having fun with us in the gym and making us laugh. [Auburn assistant coach Mary McDaniel] is like our mom and is amazing to us. The best part about them is that they haven't changed even with our recent success. I wouldn't trade them for anything!
Related:
Senior Spotlight: Michigan's Nicole Artz
Senior Spotlight: Oklahoma's Chayse Capps
Senior Spotlight: Georgia's Lauren Johnson
Senior Spotlight: LSU's Ashleigh Gnat
Senior Spotlight: Stanford's Rachel Daum
A senior from Fulshear, Texas, Hlawek has been a solid contributor on beam and floor during her college career for the Tigers. She has also seen time in the vault and bar lineups. Hlawek has an impressive career high of 9.925 on floor, which came in 2015.
Hlawek has been a part of several record-breaking teams at Auburn, including the Tigers' 2015 squad that earned a Super Six berth for the first time in 22 years. Hlawek is also a standout in the classroom and is majoring in aerospace engineering. Watch for Hlawek to be an impact senior this year for the Tigers, who are looking to continue their breakout success.
Check out Hlawek's floor routine for this year:
FloGymnastics: What is your major? When are you graduating?
Kullen Hlawek: Major: Aerospace engineering. I will graduate May 2017.
What have you learned about yourself in your time at Auburn?
I have learned a lot about being on my own. I have also learned to have fun and to let things go that I can't control.
What is your role on the team this season as a senior?
My role is unique, because I do not practice with the team very often. I have a very different class load, so I often practice by myself. So I often take a backseat which allows me to see things from the outside. I am still providing leadership in any way that I can to help my team.
What is your biggest accomplishment personally?
Graduating on time! Aerospace takes five years for most to graduate. So for me to be able to balance school and gymnastics and graduate on time is a huge accomplishment for me.
What are you still looking to accomplish this season?
I am looking to move back in some of our lineups this season. I want to be able to help in any place that I can. I would love to be able to work my way into the vault lineup this season.
What is your favorite part about competition day?
The whole day is fun! I love getting ready and dancing with my teammates before the meet. Before we march out we get together as a team and do a big team cheer. We also get into a screaming match to see who can scream the loudest. We love to have fun on meet day and not take ourselves too serious.
How have your coaches at Auburn helped you become a better gymnast?
Every way! From basic gymnastics such as my form and performance. They have taught me how to let go of things that I can't control (scores) and to not worry about those things. I have learned to have fun and my coaches have helped me with that too.
You have a unique major with aerospace engineering. What do you want to do with that major?
I have always been an engineering person who loves math and science. I also love flying with gymnastics! I want to work with some type of defense such as missiles or weapons.
How do you like to spend your time outside of the gym?
I love to bake! I also love movies. I have quite an extensive DVD collection. My favorite movie is "Pirates of the Caribbean."
What is one word to describe your attitude/personality in the gym?
Leader (one of them).
What motivates you in and out of the gym?
My team -- we do everything for each other. They want you to do your best and will help you in any way that they can.
What are your team goals this year?
Make the night session of SEC Championships. Make Super Six and be one of the top four teams in the country. We want to keep breaking records.
What has it been like to be a part of the teams at Auburn that have been able to break so many records?
To watch this program grow and change has been incredible! We have worked so hard for it and to see our hard work pay off has been so rewarding. We have really made a huge change in the four years that I have been here.
WATCH: Kullen Hlawek On the Impressive Evolution of Auburn's Program
Why would you tell a future recruit to come to Auburn?
We are a big family here at Auburn. I have never seen an athletic department that is so involved and supportive. We are friends with all involved in our sport and have such a great connection with the Auburn community as well.
Anything else you would like to share?
We really do have the best coaching staff here at Auburn. They are more than coaches to us; they are like our parents too. They always treat us like adults and are always having fun with us in the gym and making us laugh. [Auburn assistant coach Mary McDaniel] is like our mom and is amazing to us. The best part about them is that they haven't changed even with our recent success. I wouldn't trade them for anything!
Related:
Senior Spotlight: Michigan's Nicole Artz
Senior Spotlight: Oklahoma's Chayse Capps
Senior Spotlight: Georgia's Lauren Johnson
Senior Spotlight: LSU's Ashleigh Gnat
Senior Spotlight: Stanford's Rachel Daum