Nola Matthews is no stranger to the national spotlight. A longtime elite and current U.S. National Team member, the Gilroy, California, native has made her mark with her signature artistry, solid and consistent all-around work, and fan-favorite floor routines. A veteran of five U.S. Championships (with a sixth on the horizon), Matthews is a future UCLA Bruin eager to bring her expressive style and elite experience to the NCAA stage.
Responses have been edited for length and/or clarity.
Club gym: Airborne Gymnastics
College team: UCLA
Hometown: Gilroy, California
How did you first fall in love with gymnastics?
I fell in love with gymnastics at a very early age because I loved flipping my body around, and it helped burn off the excess energy I had as a little kid! I started in Mommy and Me classes at age two, and seeing the older girls do higher-level skills made me want to do the same.
What has been the highlight of your gymnastics career so far?
Making the U.S. National Team and committing to UCLA have been the biggest highlights. It has been truly surreal to accomplish these goals of mine that I thought were just dreams growing up.
What goals are you most excited about this season?
I’m excited to compete at my sixth U.S. Championships and finish my last season with my club. I have lots of little goals, but my biggest focus is on improving in the gym and in competition, staying healthy, enjoying the process, and making memories with my friends and teammates.
Who has made the biggest impact on your gymnastics career, and how have they inspired or shaped your journey?
It’s hard to name just one person because there are so many people who have inspired and shaped my journey. My current coaches have been so incredibly supportive of me and my goals. I am training in a very healthy and communicative environment, which makes all the work I’m putting in 10 times more enjoyable. My parents and teammates have also provided me with more encouragement and support than I could ask for. My entire support system has made the biggest impact on my gymnastics career.
Was there a specific moment or competition when you realized college gymnastics was within your reach?
Getting college mail for the first time made it feel real. College gymnastics had always been a goal, but receiving those letters helped me realize it could actually happen.
What’s one of the toughest challenges you’ve faced in gymnastics, and how has overcoming it shaped you as both an athlete and a person?
One of the toughest challenges I faced was finding joy in gymnastics. A couple of years ago, I was struggling both in and out of the gym, and it took a while to find my love for the sport again. In time, I started finding happiness in the process. I’m now at a place where I am enjoying gymnastics the most I ever have. Finding purpose and joy in the sport has made me a more dedicated, hard-working, mentally and physically stronger person and athlete.
You’ve always had such expressive and engaging floor routines. What do you think makes your routines stand out?
My commitment to my dance and the story of my routines makes them more enjoyable. Over the years, I figured out that I prefer more serious and dark routines. Finding the type of routine I feel the most confident in has also allowed me to commit more to the performance I’m giving.
What’s a personal gymnastics achievement you’re especially proud of that might surprise people?
Competing a Yuchenko one and a half at this year’s Winter Cup. Vault has never been my strongest event, and I’ve competed a Yurchenko full for many years, so finally competing an upgraded vault was very exciting for me.
Looking ahead to your college career, what are you most excited to experience, both as a gymnast and in your personal life?
I am very excited to live on campus and go to in-person classes. I’ve done online school since fifth grade, so I’m both nervous and excited to be at a physical school again. I’m also thrilled to compete for a team. Elite gymnastics can feel like a very individual and lonely sport at times, so I’m looking forward to training and competing for something bigger than myself.
What’s something on your college gymnastics bucket list?
Winning an NCAA championship with my UCLA teammates is my dream bucket list item. I’d also love to compete in the all-around, but more than anything, I just want to contribute however I can and help my team succeed.
Quick Hits
Vault, bars, beam, or floor?
Beam for practice and floor for competition.
Which four gymnasts would be on your college gymnastics Mount Rushmore?
Sunisa Lee, Trinity Thomas, Laurie Hernandez, and Aly Raisman.
What’s your most-used emoji?
What’s one of your gymnastics pet peeves?
When my hair feels loose.
What’s one of your pre-meet rituals or superstitions?
I wear the same bow in my hair every meet for good luck and use the same blue spray bottle on bars.
What’s a hidden talent people may not know about?
I can do a really good horror movie scream.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
I want to be living a life full of happiness, health, new experiences, and good company when I’m older.
What’s your favorite leotard your college team has worn?
This is such a hard question because I’m obsessed with essentially every leo UCLA wears, but I think my two favorites are this one and this one.
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Article by Katie Couldrey
