Friday Focus: Tara Harris
4/1/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics
April 1, 2011
Each week, GoAirForceFalcons.com will spotlight a member of the Air Force women's gymnastics team with an online feature called "Friday Focus". This week, gymnastics fans can get to know Gilroy, Calif., native, Tara Harris - Air Force's lone sophomore. Click here to get to know Harris outside of the gym.
When you were a little kid, what did you want to be when you grow up? I actually wanted to be a marine biologist and work at an aquarium or science laboratory.
What is one thing that you just can't live without? Music, I'll have my ipod on when I do homework or any
What is your favorite vacation spot? Hawaii, anyplace overseas
What is the most interesting place you have traveled to? Madrid, Spain
What is one song that you're tired of hearing? Telephone by Lady Gaga
What is your favorite drink at Starbucks? Carmel frappacino or iced passion tea lemonade.
What is your ringtone? The Perfect Day ft Juelz Santana
What is your favorite flavor of ice cream? Mint Chocolate Chip
Who is your favorite TV character? The penguins from Madagascar
What is something that you are afraid? Probably drowning or swimming in open ocean
What was the first CD you ever bought? An N'Sync or Backstreet Boys most likely, I don't remember
What was your first job? Working at a local gym and coaching gymnastics
If you had a theme song, what would it be? Hold My Hand by Akon and MJ
If you could be on any TV show, what would it be? The Amazing Race
How many hours of sleep do you need (and now ... how many do you get?) I could use as much sleep as I can get, but I probably get 6-7 every night
What is your proudest achievement? At the Academy, getting out highest team beam score at a home meet. In high school, becoming a National Vault champion my senior year
What is one thing about your hometown that you miss? Going to the Garlic Festival every summer
What is your favorite movie of all-time? Inception
Where is your favorite place to relax? My best friend's house back home by the pool
How did you get started in gymnastics? I did swimming, dance, and a bunch of other sports...my mom finally put me in gymnastics when I would climb all over the playground at school. I was really tiny when I was little so it just came naturally.
What challenge do you find in gymnastics that you don't find in any other sport? It's one of the only sport where, in college, it's a team aspect, but at the same time it's all individual effort. The work you put in affects whether you make the lineup to get your shot at competition. Gymnastics before college was all about individual success, and the team came secondary, but in college its completely flipped.
What do you like best about gymnastics? The best feeling is learning a new skill on an event, it's the best sense of accomplishment
Do you have any pre-meet rituals? 20 minute power nap
What was the best moment from a road trip last season? We were driving in Oregon last year to the hotel from the airport, and one of the cars starting following some random person instead of our head coach. We ended up 20 minutes out of the way and lost, to say the least.
What is your advice for young gymnasts? Do gymnastics for as long as you love it. It will always be apart of your life, so remember the lessons, friends, trips, everything along the way.
Describe your personality in two words: easy-going, caring
Who are the biggest influences in your life and why? My mom and dad...they always look after my best interest and want me to do the best I can
How do you balance your athletics, academics and military duties? I try and get things done ahead of time, stay on top of schoolwork so that I have time to take care of military duties. Athletics has always been a huge time commitment, so I'm used to juggling everything I have to get done.
Who is your favorite professor/AOC/etc.? Col Armacost and Maj Martin
What is your favorite place on the Academy grounds? The gym is the most relaxing to workout stress
Who are your biggest fans? My roommate Megan Lavelle.
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