Nina Chubrikova Hometown: Date/Place of Birth: Club: Coaches: Began Gymnastics: Fun Fact:
San Francisco, Calif. May 17, 19S5/Glomel, Belarus Scherba's Sports Center Elena Savenkova 1994 Chubrikova is the daughter of Pavel , who is an electric contractor, and Yelena, who is a computer programmer. She has one younger sister, Oksana. Her favorite subjects are math and art, and she is interested in a future career as a fashion or interior designer.
USA Gymnastics: What's the best thing about Group Rhythmic Gymnastics?
Nina: Group is very different from individual. The best thing about being in a group routine is having 5 other people who are like my sisters, and who know exactly what I am dealing with and who understand me.
USA Gymnastics: Have you developed a special bond with your teammates?
Nina: All of us have very special bonds, as a group and with everyone individually. We have all been through the best and worst times together so we are probably the closest that I have ever been with anyone.
USA Gymnastics: What's the food like in the dorm?
Nina: The food is pretty good. There are a lot of choices and the cooks are very nice to us. A lot of the times they will cook whatever you ask them to cook for you.
Pierce Highland Park, III. Nov. 26, 19S5/Lake Placid, NY Illinois Rhythmic Gymnastics Center Irina Vdovets/Natasha KlimoukiCaroline Hunt 1989 Pierce is the older of two children to Debbie and Bill Pierce . Her brother Bradley plays hockey, soccer, tennis and runs cross-country. Her favorite subject in school is writing and she hopes to study drama and/or joumalism in the future. Pierce also loves music and she plays the bass guitar, sings and dances in a band.
USA Gymnastics: How's your new school and living with all of your teammates?
Marissa: The school here is very different from myoid school. My oid school was very big, whereas, this one is really small. It's great going to school with all of my teammates though. Living with them is great too. Even if we are just hanging out we have such a great time together.
USA Gymnastics: What have you leamed being on your own?
Marissa: Being away from home is very hard for me but I have leamed that I can do it! I have also leamed to cherish the time that I have with my family. Even the little things that we do together now seem so much more important to me.
USA Gymnastics: What do you do when not going to school or training?
Marissa: Because I play the guitar we have what we call sing-alongs where I play the guitar and we all sing. It's so much fun. Our favorite song to sing is the "Friends" theme song.
Kraker Milwaukee, Wis. July 10, 1983/Milwaukee, Wis. Illinois Rhythmics
Natasha Klimouk/Caroline Hunt/Irina Vdovets Kraker is the oldest of four children to Peter and Colleen Kraker. Her siblings are Brakken, McCauley and Mehryn. Her mother is a gymnastics instructor and her father is a teacher. Kraker would like to pursue a career in education. Her role models are her parents and speed skater Dan Jansen for never giving up in the face of adversity. Mauriah is the rhythmic group team captain . continued on page 38
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