Athlete of the Week: 10 questions with Clara Crossgrove, New Trier gymnastics

Clara Crossgrove is a senior gymnast for the Trevians who is a multiple-time state qualifier and last season placed third in state on the uneven bars.

1. Do you have any premeet rituals or superstitions?

I usually listen to like really energetic music. A song I always listen to is “Diva,” by Beyonce. That’s the one superstitious thing I do before I compete.

2. What are your plans for next year?

I don’t have plans for next year yet. I am finishing applying for college. A lot of my schools don’t offer gymnastics, but I think two of them have clubs. If I were to go there, I’d definitely consider that, but it’s not a dealbreaker for me to do gymnastics in college. It’s kind of nice; there’s not as much pressure.

3. When did you get serious about gymnastics?

I got serious about gymnastics when I was 5 and decided I didn’t want to play any other sports besides gymnastics. My mom tried to keep me in soccer and softball but none of them really spoke to me like gymnastics.

4. What do you enjoy most about gymnastics?

Probably just that I’m doing something new every single day. It’s always exciting. I never feel like I’m standing around doing nothing. … There’s just more excitement in gymnastics and I like the risk and challenge it brings. I think that’s what pulled me in.

5. If you were to try another sport, what would it be?

Probably diving. I’ve done some diving camps before. Some of the stuff is similar to gymnastics. If I weren’t doing gymnastics, I would probably be doing diving — or dance, both similar to gymnastics.

6. What is your dream job?

Maybe doing something with sports marketing or sports psychology. I think just through doing gymnastics so long, I’m interested in the psychological aspects behind it. More than half of the sport is your mental capacity.

7. What is your favorite event?

My favorite to compete is floor, but I also really enjoy bars and practicing bars. I think floor because it is most fun and I always see my teammates in the corner doing the dances with my routine. It makes it a little more exciting.

8. If you are in Walgreens with a couple bucks, what are you buying?

Probably something I need, like a lip balm or something. That’s always what I pick up. If were to go to a Walgreens, I always pick up a Burt’s Bees.

9. What is something people don’t know about you?

I guess a lot of people know me through gymnastics, so they don’t know other characteristics I have and that gymnastics isn’t my whole identity. Like my favorite hobby to do in the winter is skiing. That’s the main thing I do. People think I might not do that because I don’t want to get injured. But I do it anyway.

10. What is this team, and you, capable of this season?

I think this team is capable of making it to state and placing in at least the top five. If everyone does what they are supposed to do and doesn’t get too nervous, we definitely have a good chance of achieving that. Honestly, for me, it’s the same. If I have more confidence in myself, I think I could make it to the state finals in all the events. I think I have that chance this year. I just have to have confidence in myself.

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