“Going Elite after profitable the NCAA championships pushed me to my limits, motivating me to continue to grow and I’ve beloved each second of it.” – Vanessa Zamarripa
By Chris Korotky and Christy Sandmaier
Once we launched Inside Gymnastics journal in 2002, our objective was to share a glimpse into the lives of a number of the world’s most unimaginable athletes. And our focus was to transcend the competitors ground to point out their affect on the surface world as effectively. In our twenty years plus of overlaying the game, we’ve been lucky to showcase some extremely gifted and well-accomplished gymnasts. As a lot as accolades and resumes may be spectacular, it’s actually the true character and personalities that encourage us most.
One athlete particularly we have been lucky to cowl in her aggressive days and see shine on and off the competitors ground is Vanessa Zamarripa. An athlete, artist and a trailblazer, three-time Degree 10 Nationwide Champion Zamarripa went on to have an extremely profitable NCAA profession at UCLA. There, she scored a whopping 9 ‘Excellent 10s’ on vault and was a part of that epic 2010 Nationwide Championship group that basically delivered some breathtaking performances and thrillingly memorable moments. She additionally leapt into the Elite scene that very same yr and was one of many uncommon athletes in that timeframe that competed each NCAA and Elite.
Off the competitors ground, she’s as real and fascinating of an individual that you simply’ll ever meet. We had the pleasure of working together with her on a pilot that we have been engaged on in Los Angeles (that we nonetheless hope to ship to the gymnastics world sooner or later!) and he or she was an absolute delight to work with and had that indescribable spark that assures you that she’s going to achieve success it doesn’t matter what challenge she tackles. After UCLA, she flourished within the Stunt scene within the film and tv world.
Ever inventive, she’s additionally embarking on some new adventures and not too long ago shared extra with Inside Gymnastics journal. As at all times, she’s a shining star!
Inform us what being inducted into the 2024 UCLA Athletic Corridor of Fame Class means to you! What was your favourite a part of the ceremony weekend?
Thanks! I nonetheless can’t imagine it occurred. The weekend was unimaginable, not only for the induction but additionally for reuniting with household, buddies, coaches, and teammates. Being inducted displays the exhausting work and dedication I put into my sport and time at UCLA. Once I arrived, I wasn’t an ideal pupil or athlete. College and coaching have been powerful, and adjusting to life in Los Angeles was a problem. However by means of exhausting work, open-mindedness, and studying from others, I grew each in athletics and life.
This induction isn’t nearly my achievements — it’s a testomony to the help from my coaches, teammates, and the UCLA neighborhood. Their affect formed my efficiency.
Reconnecting with household, buddies, former teammates, and coaches was a real spotlight. The final time we have been all collectively like that was again after I was competing on the group, and it reminded me of the significance of being current with these you’re keen on. Household is actually certainly one of life’s biggest treasures.
The considered my identify being completely etched on a wall is unimaginable, and I’m deeply grateful to everybody who influenced my journey, in addition to the Corridor of Fame Committee for this honor. I’m proud to hitch the Class of 2024 and be in the identical firm as UCLA greats like John Wood and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
You stood out a lot throughout your profession in your artistry, type and problem. Speak about your intuition for performing and why you have been drawn to gymnastics.
Thanks! As a toddler, I used to be impressed by so many gymnasts together with Dominique Moceanu, Kerri Strug, Shannon Miller, Tasha Schwikert, Carly Patterson, Elise Ray, and Kristen Maloney — the record goes on! Their performances influenced my very own gymnastics type. Virtually each evening earlier than mattress, I might rewatch elite competitions, from U.S. Nationals to the Olympics, usually visualizing their actions and attempting to emulate them within the gymnasium. I used to be obsessive about gymnastics as a child and I didn’t need to watch the rest earlier than I fell asleep.
Performing introduced me a lot pleasure, and as soon as I began competing for myself, my group, and the love of the game—slightly than worrying about others’ opinions or issues I couldn’t management, like the judges’ scores—the nerves disappeared. Every routine grew to become a narrative I instructed. If I used to be having enjoyable, I knew the viewers can be having enjoyable with me as I expressed my character and my genuine self.
