UCLA BRUINS - Athletics News



		Onnie Willis
		Sport: Gymnastics Year: Freshman Hometown: Tacoma, WA High School: Wilson HS

Past Profiles:
Venus James (Women's Soccer)
Sean Kern (Men's Water Polo)
Sasha Victorine (Men's Soccer)
Kristee Porter (Women's Volleyball)
Kate Vermeulen (Women's Cross Country)
Keiko Price (Swimming)
Brandon DiTullio (Men's Golf)
Nick Rimando (Men's Soccer)
Carly Funicello (Women's Basketball)
Mohini Bhardwaj (Women's Gymnastics)
Rico Hines (Men's Basketball)
Brandon Taliaferro (Men's Volleyball)
Brandon Kramer (Men's Tennis)
Bill Scott (Baseball)
Jerome Moiso (Men's Basketball)
Abigail Spears (Women's Tennis)

Favorite Food:
Chocolate!!!

Favorite Book:
"The Atonement Child"

Favorite Class:
So far, it's Anthropology 33 ("Culture and Communication"). I'm taking Psychology 10 now, and I hope I like it because I'm thinking about majoring in Psychology.

Favorite Hangout:
Here - the training room!!!
At home - my house with all my high school friends

Favorite Apparatus (why?):
I enjoy competing beam the most because I love the feeling I get after I hit a routine in a meet. Also, thanks to my coach, I've become quite a fan of competing floor!

What do you like to do outside gymnastics?
I like going to the movies and hanging out with friends. I also like going to sporting events and shopping.

When did you start gymnastics?
I started gymnastics when I was 4 years old. I was constantly jumping around the house, so my grandpa put me in gymnastics.

What do you like most about gymnastics?
Traveling and meeting people. I also enjoy the team aspect of college gymnastics and the closeness that we've developed.

Why did you decide to attend UCLA?
I have family here in California, and it's not too far from home. Besides, it's a great school with awesome athletics and great people, not to mention beautiful, warm weather since I'm from rainy Washington.

What's your dream vacation?
To take a cruise to the Caribbean

If you could have dinner with a famous person who would it be?
Michael Jordan. He's an amazing athlete, and I would love to see what he's like as a person.

What is the best lesson you have learned so far in college?
"There are no easy classes at UCLA!!!" Also, I've learned that change during this time in my life is inevitable, and it doesn't necessarily have to be negative.

What do you see yourself doing in 10 years?
I'll be married and hopefully teaching kindergarten or first grade at an elementary school.

What is the best advice you have ever received?
Never stop believing in yourself, regardless of the circumstances.

Best movie you've seen lately:
Erin Brockovich

Favorite movie of all-time:
Shawshank Redemption

Best event (i.e. sporting event, concert, show) you've ever attended:
The Miss America Pageant. My sister is Miss Washington, and she was in the Miss America Pageant this past September, so we went to Atlantic City to watch. It was a lot of fun.

What do you consider your most rewarding or memorable athletic experience?
Winning the J.O. National team and individual championship in 1998 and scoring my first 10 ever last February.

Describe how you felt when you scored a perfect 10 on vault this year:
I was definitely overwhelmed. I knew I had done the best vault I could possibly do, so when I got that 10, I didn't know what to do or think. It was really exciting! I'll never forget that night.

Are you looking forward to competing track next year?
Yes. I am excited to get back on the track and do some triple jumping. I miss it!!!

If you could have one super-power, what would it be?
I wouldn't say I wanted any super-powers; I just hope that I can discover and use all the potential and power I already have.

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