Anna Glenn and Grace Glenn are level 10 superstars who train at Southeastern Gymnastics in Charlotte, NC. They are juniors in high school and have both committed to UCLA where they will join the Bruins next fall. 

Anna qualified for JO Nationals for the fourth consecutive year and will compete this weekend. At last year's Nationals, she placed second on beam and sixth all-around. Earlier this season, she competed at the Nastia Liukin Cup for her second time where she placed second all-around. 

Grace missed the 2015 season after suffering an achiles tear this past fall. Last season, she competed at the Nastia Liukin Cup where she placed fifth all-around. She then went on to compete at JO Nationals where she won all-around and beam and placed second on vault. 
 

 

ANNA

 

What is your favorite memory as a gymnast, so far?

My favorite memory was competing at the Greensboro Invitational in 2014. That was the meet that I qualified to my first Nastia Liukin cup, which was held 2 days after. I competed on podium with 3 other girls from my team and it was so much fun. Also, I got one of my season highs. 

 

If you had a day off from practice, how would you spend your free time?

I would probably take a beach trip with a few of my friends

 

If you could give one piece of advice to any gymnast, what would it be and why? 

Stay positive no matter what. This piece of advice has helped me get through some pretty tough practices and has made me a better gymnast overall. 

 

Describe your pre-competition routine.

This season, I have primarily competed in the evening session, so I generally get lunch at a deli like Panera or McAlister's. Then, I usually take a nap for about an hour or just rest. An hour and a half before I compete I eat a light snack and my mom puts my hair in a bun and I put on my makeup, leo, and warm up. I pack 2 water bottles and extra snacks in my bag. I get to a meet an hour before open stretch starts so I can get a feel for the gym and mentally go through my routines. 

 

How would you describe your personality?

I am friendly, enthusiastic, positive, and caring

 

In ten years, where do you see yourself and what will you be doing?

In ten years I plan to work as a biologist or physiologist in California and finish up grad school. 

 

If you made a life bucket list, what would be your number one activity to accomplish?

To travel the world in 1 year with my sister.

 

What is your biggest fear?

Falling down the stairs because I would probably get seriously injured and it's humiliating. 

 

What motivates you to work hard in and out of the gym?

My plan to live and work in LA motivates me to work hard both in school and gym because my hard work in gymnastics and school is my ticket to UCLA and my future. 

 

What is your proudest accomplishment?

Full ride scholarship to UCLA.

 

Besides gymnastics, what is your favorite sport to watch/play?

I love to watch ice skating and dancing because they are so beautiful. 

 

If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Sushi!

 

What’s the most unusual thing you’ve ever eaten?

Rabbit. It was very salty!

 

Do you collect anything?

I collect pins from places I travel, and from big competitions. I have pins from all over the country as well as foreign countries. I currently have 117. 

 

Who is your best friend and how did you meet?

My best friend is my twin sister. We do everything together and have the same strengths and abilities. We have the same friends, schedule the same classes, the list goes on. 

 

 

GRACE

 

What is your favorite memory as a gymnast, so far?

My favorite memory as a gymnast was going to Puerto Rico on the Region 8 All-Star trip in 2013. I had a great time with all of my friends and we did some really cool things. We made so many memories on that trip.

 

Have you ever done anything embarrassing in practice? Competition?

Not in practice, but I remember falling off of the podium in awards when I was in compulsory. 

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I remember wanting to be a doctor as a kid. Not much has changed because I still want a job in the medical field.

 

What is your most bizarre pet peeve? 

I have a problem with loud chewers.

 

If you could give one piece of advice to any gymnast, what would it be and why? 

Stay calm. You will do much better in competition if you remain calm and control your nerves. I had an amazing season last year because I wasn’t nervous. I stayed calm and I did the best I have ever done!

 

How would you describe your personality?

I am calm, humble, funny, and honest.

 

In ten years, where do you see yourself and what will you be doing?

In ten years, I hope to be living a successful life, pursuing a career as a scientist in the medical field, and being very happy.

 

Who are two gymnasts you admire most? Why?

I have always admired Nastia Liukin because her elegance and grace, but my new inspiration is Samantha Peszek, former UCLA gymnast.  Last year she was out with a torn achilles tendon and had to redshirt, but she came back stronger than ever and had the season of her life. I look up to her and hope to make a great come back like she did.

 

Pick one word to describe your attitude/personality in the gym. 

As of this year I am the helper of the gym.  Since I’ve been injured, my coach, Ludmilla, has relied on me to do things for her and I’ve been her little elf throughout the season.

 

What is the most difficult thing you’ve had to overcome in gymnastics?

I have not yet overcome the most difficult thing for me in gymnastics, which is recovering from my injury. I tore my achilles tendon on October 9th and I got surgery on the 13th. It will be the 7 month mark on May 9th since my injury. Unfortunately, I was not able to compete this season, but I am very excited for next year and I can’t wait to see my comeback. I do not know when I will be able to do all events again, but I will be in the gym all summer to get back my skills and strength my leg. Recovery has been going really well and I hope I don’t have a whole lot longer of being restricted.

 

What motivates you to work hard in and out of the gym?

My scholarship to UCLA is my main motivation for both school and gymnastics.  I am so excited to compete as a Bruin, but I know I must work hard to prove that I deserve to go to UCLA.

 

What is your proudest accomplishment?

My proudest accomplishment to date is winning J.O. Nationals 2014.  I had a great year last year and I’m glad I accomplished that last year before getting injured.  Also, my team, Southeastern Gymnastics was awarded National Club of the Year last year.  I am so glad to be a part of such a great team and I wouldn’t want to be at any other gym!

 

Are you related or distantly related to anyone famous?

I don’t know who I am related to by blood since I was adopted from China, but I’d like to think that I am related to Jackie Chan in some way.

 

If you could join any past or current music group, which would you want to join?

If I was British and I could sing I would replace Zayn Malik of One Direction.

 

Who is your best friend and how did you meet?

My best friend is my twin, Anna. I met her in the womb.


Related:
Video Iterview with Anna and Grace Glenn 
Friday Focus: Olivia Karas
Friday Focus: Rachael Lukacs 
Friday Focus: Megan Skaggs