University of Georgia Athletics
A Quick Chat With... Ashlyn Broussard
December 17, 2015 | Gymnastics
View Full Archive of the Frierson Files | Sneak Peek Release
John Frierson
UGAAA Staff Writer
Ashlyn Broussard and the Georgia gymnastics team will open their season on Jan. 9, at Michigan. On Friday night, the ninth-ranked GymDogs' fans can get their first look at this season's squad during a Sneak Peek at the Suzanne Yoculan Gymnastics Center.
One the the gymnasts Georgia will be counting on heavily this season is Broussard, last season's team MVP. The junior from Plano, Texas, sat down for a quick chat Wednesday to discuss everything from getting started early to her dream teammate. Here's some of she had to say:
Frierson: You've got the Sneak Peak on Friday and the season is about to get started. What are you most looking forward to, both within yourself and with the team?
Broussard: I'm excited to be going back out there again. It's a new group of girls and we have a lot of strong relationships this year. I'm looking forward to just getting out there again and letting everybody see how hard we've been working around here, and for everyone to see how we look as a team.
Frierson: If you could have competed with or against anyone in history, who would it be?
Broussard: With would be Courtney Kupets (one of the greatest gymnasts in Georgia and NCAA history). I've talked to her a couple of times through the alumni meets and things, and she just sounds like she was such a great teammate and a great supporter -- just an awesome teammate to be with. To have her competing with you would just be amazing.
Frierson: Who's someone on the team that doesn't get enough credit or attention, whether it's for being really good or funny or whatever?
Broussard: I think that would definitely be Lauren Johnson. She just lightens the mood.
Frierson: What do you do to get away from sports? In the quiet moments of your day, how do you spend your time?
Broussard: I like watching TV or just going out and getting yogurt with my roommates, who are a couple of teammates. I just like talking and not thinking too serious, I guess.
Frierson: I'm sure a lot of folks look at what you and all the GymDogs do and think, "I'd be terrified of even trying that." Do you have any moments of fear at all or is that so far in the rearview mirror that you don't even consider it?
Broussard: I still feel like I have some moments, but we've been doing it for so long that I don't really feel it. It's almost like muscle memory after so long.
Frierson: Because there are some fairly dangerous moves in gymnastics, do you think it helps to get involved in it at a young age, when kids are more fearless? It seems like it would be much easier to get an 8-year-old to learn to execute maneuvers on the balance beam than some 16 or so, who might be more intimidated.
Broussard: I definitely think that doing it younger, you have less fear, because you don't realize (the risks). But also I remember going through those fears, whenever I was, like, 15 or 16, or even sometimes now.
Frierson: Do you remember the moment when you realized it was time to make a real commitment to the sport and began putting in the work that eventually got you to where you are today?
Broussard: I think when I was seven I did gymnastics and tennis, and then I picked gymnastics, obviously. I think a little bit after that, probably when I was around 10 or so, it became more serious and a lot more hours in the gym.
Frierson: If you could have played any other sport for the Bulldogs, what would it be?
Broussard: I think it would be fun to do swimming or diving. Diving's kind of like gymnastics -- well, it's also completely different because you've got to learn how to land on your head instead of your feet. I think diving would be cool.
John Frierson is the staff writer for the UGA Athletic Association and curator of the ITA Men's Tennis Hall of Fame. You can find his work at: Frierson Files. He's also on Twitter: @FriersonFiles and @ITAHallofFame.
Players Mentioned
