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USAG Level 5 Gymnast Talks About Her Experience So Far with Gymnastics in NYC

Jamie Schreiber is one of Gymtime’s star gymnasts. At 11 years old, she has reached USA Gymnastics (USAG) Compulsory Level 5, with big aspirations to continue on to Level 6-7 and beyond. She spends almost 10 hours in the gym every week and conditions for over an hour during each practice, repeating skills over and over again until she has mastered them. Even through the rigorous practices, Gymtime Team Director Haley Blair says that Jamie is tough and always maintains a happy, positive attitude during practice.

In March, Jamie placed First All Around at the Heartland Classic, in addition to placing first in every event except bars (she placed third!). This qualified her for the Level 5 State Championship in Buffalo, NY, where she competed earlier this month, which is a huge accomplishment for a gymnast of her age. To prepare for Level 6-7, Jamie has been busy practicing baby giants and giants on the bars, back handsprings on the balance beam and back layouts on the floor.

We chatted with Jamie about her personal experience with gymnastics, recent successes and what it is like to dedicate her time to the sport. Jamie’s love of gymnastics is apparent in the way she talks about her coaches, practice and going for the gold. Here is what she had to say about her experience as a gymnast so far.

How old were you when you started doing gymnastics?
2 years old

How often do you practice?
Three times a week, three hours each practice.

What do you like most about the Gymtime Gymnastics Team?
It is fun and I like to flip a lot. I like Gymtime more than other gyms because it is smaller and, as a gymnast, I really like that because I can get more time in. Plus, my coaches pay more attention to me directly.

Do you think it is hard to balance gymnastics, school and friends?
No, I don’t think so. A lot of my friends do competitive sports, too, like soccer, so that makes it easier.

What is your favorite thing about the sport?
Being upside down! That’s my favorite part.

What is your favorite gymnastics move?
I like all of them equally, but my favorite event is probably Floor. I love tumbling!

What move are you currently working on mastering?
Handsprings, front-tucks and a round-off back-handspring back-tuck.

Do you have a professional gymnast that you look up to?
All of them!

What person do you admire most and why?
I admire my cousin, she does gymnastics, too, and is really good.

What gymnastics award are you most proud of?
Heartland Classic where I placed First All Around. I placed First on everything except bars where I placed Third.

What are your future goals as an aspiring gymnast?
I want to be able to do Level 10!

Other than gymnastics, what do you like to do?
I play tennis, and I also go to Hebrew School.

Jamie is one of many young gymnasts in nyc who has seen success from their work at Gymtime, and we are excited to see what is in store for her ahead! We are proud of her work at State this month and wish her luck in her continuing quest for gold!