Leslie Gillespie says gymnastics is all about flexibility. And she should know. The 5-foot-2-inch freshman has been participating in gymnastics for eight years.

Gillespie’s mom was the one who influenced Gillespie to get involved with the sport. “She said I had too much energy, so it would help me release some of it,” Gillespie said.

She works out at Gym Force five nights a week for three hours.

Although she loves everything about gymnastics, her favorite move is on the beam, even when she “busts.” She said that what people don’t know about this sport is that it’s really hard to do and it hurts, a lot.

Gillespie, who competes for Gym Force as well as trains there, has won her share of awards, “too many to count,” but her favorite one would probably be Athlete of the Year for 2006.

Gillespie is serious about getting a college scholarship in this sport.