KAILYN HAWKINS TO JOIN CORNHUSKERS GYMNASTICS TEAM

With six NCAA Super Six appearances over the past nine seasons, The University of Nebraska Gymnastics Team has developed a reputation as one of the top teams in the nation.  Nebraska has produced three NCAA individual champions while Husker gymnasts have captured more than 100 individual All-America awards. That tradition has attracted the attention of a local gymnast, Kailyn Hawkins.  The Providence High School 11th grader has given Nebraska a verbal commitment to attend the university following her graduation. The daughter of Jim and Leslie Hawkins has worked countless hours to achieve this level of success.

Gymnastics started at age five for Kailyn.  From the beginning she took to the sport and began to move quickly up in class.  Now as a 17 year old gymnast, she has competed and won all across the nation. Colleges have taken notice of this dynamic competitor and her commitment to success.  Her resume is filled with big victories. We asked Kailyn to share her top memories from the past.

"I would say, of course, qualifying to Nationals those 3 years. Also, making the Region 8 All-Star team. The country is divided into 8 regions and Region 8 is the region NC is in. The top 6 scorers at Nationals for Region 8 make up the Region 8 All-Star team for that year. Each year the team goes on a trip in the summer. 2 years ago we went to Myrtle Beach, but last year we went to Cancun. It was a blast! I'd love to qualify again this year - we will go to New York!"
Kailyn has competed in the Junior Olympic Nationals three of the last four seasons.  The only year she missed out, she was injured.

"The ultimate goal of most Level 10 gymnasts, and I would think of all Level 10 gymnasts, is to qualify to J.O. (Junior Olympic) Nationals each season. This is where the best gymnasts from all over the country come together to compete against each other for national recognition. "

Like most gymnasts Kailyn has a couple of events that are among her best.  She says her best events are the vault and floor exercise.  To stay on top in those events and others requires a ton of practice, Kailyn puts in 25 hours per week.
As the national recruiting attention began to flow her way, Kailyn new she needed to make a decision and move forward.

"I will be competing gymnastics for the University of Nebraska. Making this decision was sort of a long painful process! But my parents and I visited several colleges, meeting coaches and team members and Nebraska just felt like a good fit. The size of the school, the size of the town, the coaches, all of it added up to be the right place for me. I'm very excited!"

Naturally academic success is key to earning college opportunities.  With so many hours for practice and competition, Kailyn has had to learn the importance of time management.
"I'm a very good student. Balancing gymnastics and academics hasn't been easy and there have been many times when both have suffered. Providence High School is a very challenging school, but I feel good about where I am academically."

"There are times when I have to miss practice because I have too much homework or have to study for tests. It's just the way it has to be. My grades are very important to me. If we have out of town meets, my homework comes with me. I do it in the car, in the hotel room, wherever and whenever I get a chance. And let's just say I typically don't get a lot of sleep during the week."

This commitment, as hard as it has been for Kailyn Hawkins, has certainly paid off with the opportunity to compete for a nationally ranked university.  The South Charlotte Sports Report salutes Kailyn for all her hard work and dedication to success.  We wish her the very best in the future.