Catching Up With Gracie Cherrey
July 05, 2016 | Gymnastics
ATHENS, Ga. — Gracie Cherrey made an immediate impact for the Gymdogs in 2016, appearing in the bars lineup in 13 of 16 meets in 2016.
The team's Scholar-Athlete Award winner posted a season-best score of 9.85 on bars with identical scores against Kentucky and eventual national champion Oklahoma.
Cherrey, a native of Woodbury, Minnesota, took some time to discuss her first year at Georgia, her summer and her goals entering 2017.
Q: Where are you currently training?
Cherrey: I am currently here in Athens taking classes, training, and rehabbing my ankle!
Q: Looking back at last season, what's the biggest lesson that you hope to carry into the upcoming year?
Cherrey: The biggest lesson I learned last season is to "roll with it." This was a term you would hear Danna say frequently, and it taught me to maneuver any circumstance that was thrown my way. Being the "type A" individual and planner that I am, this mindset allowed me to loosen up a bit, and trust that I could handle whatever situation I was put into. The simple term changed my mindset completely, allowing me to build trust in myself and my ability to make last-minute adjustments as needed.
Q: What's one thing that you will always remember about the 2016 team outside of competition?
Cherrey: Outside of competition and the gym, we are more than just teammates. While none of us are in sororities, we consider ourselves as one: each one of us being blessed with multiple sisters. These "sisters" are there to pick you up when you're down, make you laugh when you need it, and keep you from ever being lonely! I think the relationships we built with one another were stronger than ever before, and the bond created outside the gym really benefitted us inside the gym as well.
Q: Have you been learning any new skills this summer?
Cherrey: Because I had ankle surgery following season, my main priority is to get healthy. My training is currently limited to primarily rehab and strength, but the awesome (sports medicine) staff here has developed a plan to get me where I need to be so I can be ready to go come season! Each step I've made so far in the recovery has been super exciting, and I could not be more ready to be back in the gym training 100-percent!
Q: What were your main goals entering summer training? How are you progressing?
Cherrey: My main goals not just for summer, but also for fall is to make a full recovery, and hopefully add in some events that I was unable to train last season!
Q: What's been most enjoyable for you this summer?
Cherrey: I was home for the month of May, and I really enjoyed spending time with old friends and family. I also had the chance to go to my cabin while I was at home, so I loved every second on the lake that I had!
While back in Athens, I have enjoyed the days I have been able to spend at the pool!
Q: What are you most excited for when the new school year starts?
Cherrey: I am super excited for Fall because all my friends that are currently at home will be returning! It will be so much fun to see them again and be able to hang out with them more regularly. I also love the school year because there are so many new faces and opportunities to meet new people.
I am also pumped for football season! Games are so much fun to go to, and the environment within the stadium is unreal...It truly is something special. GO DAWGS!
Q: What is your favorite thing about being a Gymdog?
Cherrey: My favorite thing about being a Gymdog...that is a tough question! Being a Georgia Gymdog is such an honor, and there are so many cool experiences and opportunities that come with it, it's hard to choose! I would say one thing I love about the program here is the support we receive. Coming from club gymnastics, we didn't have a lot of fans at meets, or people who were generally interested in the sport. To come here and have 10,000 fans at any given meet and people that are rooting for you is huge. It means the world to us. I also love being a role model to younger gymnasts and demonstrating some of the many lessons gymnastics has taught me, one of which being how hard work truly does pays off.
Follow the Gymdogs: For all the latest on Georgia gymnastics, follow the team on Twitter (@UGAGymnastics), Instagram (@ugagymnatics) and on Facebook (Georgia Gymnastics), and keep checking in to georgiadogs.com.
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