Ice breakers. Nobody likes them except for the people who foist them upon unsuspecting, and oftentimes unwilling, participants. When facing a dreaded ice breaker, a gymnast’s go-to fun fact will frequently be, “I do gymnastics.” Undeniably, most people consider gymnasts to have spectacular and unusual talent. But athletes are so much more than just the sport. Here are a few gymnasts who might reach to other skills in the sharing circle before they fall back on ol’ reliable.
Summer Penzi (W&M) – Music
Stage fright fears her; judges love her. Summer Penzi, a junior at William and Mary, shines on beam and floor—and also the stage. Penzi’s penchant for music started at a young age when she began learning to play piano and violin. The ensuing years were a blur between the gym and her instruments, honing her skill enough to audition for Juilliard, perform at international competitions, and grace iconic concert halls. Penzi’s dual talents were recently highlighted in this article by the Williamsburg Yorktown Daily, singing praise to her knack for keeping everything in balance.
Find more of Penzi’s music on her dedicated Instagram profile @soundzofsummer
Miki Aderinto (Cal) – Hair Braiding
Any gymnast worth her salt can don a french braid, but can she spell out words in her competition hair? Cal fans will already be familiar with Miki Aderinto’s iconic “word braids,” which she created on fellow Bear Kyen Mayhew. Aderinto reinforced her abilities time and time again, displaying various messages on Mayhew’s head throughout the season. The braids spelled out a range of short words, setting a high bar for school spirit. We look forward to seeing what Aderinto has in store for us next year—there’s a whole dictionary of options!
Nancy Kiner (GW) – Photography
A chance encounter led me to Nancy Kiner’s Instagram account dedicated to photography. As a fan of the Washington Nationals, it was an exciting find. Kiner, a recent graduate from George Washington, worked as an intern for the professional baseball team in addition to being a content creator for GW Athletics. Her engaging photos put on display the electricity of movement and music, playing with layering and light to capture the moment. Kiner has already made a name for herself in gymnastics, but we can’t wait to see where her camera takes her.
You can view her photos on Instagram: @nancykinerphotography
Frida Esparza (UCLA) – Electric Guitar
Everyone already knows about Frida Esparza’s elegant swinging on bars, but what about shredding on the guitar? Esparza put her talents on display this year by performing the US national anthem on the electric guitar at UCLA’s Pride meet. Esparza’s incredible performance is indicative of her journey in personal growth, telling the Daily Bruin that it was something “‘freshman Frida’ never would’ve done.” Between gymnastics and rock and roll, Esparza has truly made her mark in the Bruin history books.
Honorable Mention: Incoming Recruits
Check out our Recruit Spotlight series that highlights some of the top-rated incoming freshmen, including some interesting talents they have! From Tiana Sumanasekera’s passion for fashion to Nola Matthew’s best ear-shattering horror movie scream, these athletes somehow find the time between countless hours of training to round out their repertoire of unique skills. They are sure to feel right at home among the myriad of multi-talented athletes in NCAA gymnastics.
READ THIS NEXT: Multiple Top Recruits Qualify to Nationals From US Classic
Article by Frances Leadman
