It was watching Olympic gymnasts on YouTube elegantly moving on the balance beam that made Delanie Cornwell want to be a gymnast.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u201cIt looked so cool and I wanted to learn how to do everything they did,\u201d said Cornwell, 18.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Cornwell started gymnastics in seventh grade, falling in love with the sport right away.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u201cAt first everything was just fun and not taken too seriously,\u201d she said. \u201cThen I went to high school and it\u2019s still fun, but we have to work really hard and prepare ourselves more, which I like better.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
The senior at Kentwood High School is excelling this year and is meeting the goals she set for herself in the past few meets. During her last invitational meet against Auburn Mountainview High School, Cornwell took third place in the balance beam and bars.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u201cThe pressure from the meets is a good thing for me because it pushes me to be better,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Cornwell credits her coaches, teammates and work ethic for her success.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are some things that come easily to me, but some things that take awhile,\u201d Cornwell said. \u201cLuckily I have great coaches that encourage me at every moment and that helps a lot. Also, there are some girls that have been doing gymnastics since they were five and they have a lot of advice for us.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Cornwell\u2019s coaches are impressed with the positivity she brings to the team.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u201cShe always has a great attitude and is such a hard worker,\u201d said Coach Ann Diaz.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Cornwell is also enjoying the role of captain this year.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u201cI really like helping the girls out and having them come to me with questions,\u201d she said. \u201cWhat keeps me motivated the most is feeling that all these girls are relying on me. All my teammates are really talented and will accomplish great things.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
All the girls on Cornwell\u2019s team are close friends.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u201cThe best part of being on the team is the girls,\u201d Cornwell said. \u201cWe become like a family because we spend so much time together and go through similar things. We never stop talking after the seasons ends, so, it\u2019s really a lifelong friendship.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Cornwell hopes to take her talents to college.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u201cI know that no matter what happens I will keep gymnastics a big part of my life,\u201d she said. \u201cBut I do hope to make it onto a team in college.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
In addition to gymnastics, Cornwell enjoys outdoor activities such as snowboarding, wake-boarding, camping and swimming.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u201cI just like to do anything active basically,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Cornwell took advanced placement classes last year and is enrolled in running start classes at Green River Community College this year. She has already received academic scholarship offers from Oregon State University, University of Idaho and Washington State University.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not sure what the future holds, but I do know I will be coming back to Kentwood to watch gymnastics meets and keep in touch with everyone,\u201d Cornwell said. \u201cI love this sport and all that this team has given me.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Kentwood hosted the All- City Meet Jan. 25 after the Reporter\u2019s deadline.<\/p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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