“Going Elite after successful the NCAA championships pushed me to my limits, motivating me to continue to grow and I’ve beloved each second of it.” – Vanessa Zamarripa
By Chris Korotky and Christy Sandmaier
After we launched Inside Gymnastics journal in 2002, our objective was to share a glimpse into the lives of among the world’s most unimaginable athletes. And our focus was to transcend the competitors flooring to indicate their affect on the skin world as nicely. In our 20 years plus of overlaying the game, we’ve been lucky to showcase some extremely gifted and well-accomplished gymnasts. As a lot as accolades and resumes may be spectacular, it’s actually the true character and personalities that encourage us most.
One athlete specifically we had been lucky to cowl in her aggressive days and see shine on and off the competitors flooring is Vanessa Zamarripa. An athlete, artist and a trailblazer, three-time Degree 10 Nationwide Champion Zamarripa went on to have an extremely profitable NCAA profession at UCLA. There, she scored a whopping 9 ‘Excellent 10s’ on vault and was a part of that epic 2010 Nationwide Championship group that actually delivered some breathtaking performances and thrillingly memorable moments. She additionally leapt into the Elite scene that very same yr and was one of many uncommon athletes in that timeframe that competed each NCAA and Elite.
Off the competitors flooring, she’s as real and fascinating of an individual that you just’ll ever meet. We had the pleasure of working along with her on a pilot that we had been engaged on in Los Angeles (that we nonetheless hope to ship to the gymnastics world in the future!) and she or he was an absolute delight to work with and had that indescribable spark that assures you that she’s going to achieve success it doesn’t matter what venture she tackles. After UCLA, she flourished within the Stunt scene within the film and tv world.
Ever inventive, she’s additionally embarking on some new adventures and lately shared extra with Inside Gymnastics journal. As at all times, she’s a shining star!
Inform us what being inducted into the 2024 UCLA Athletic Corridor of Fame Class means to you! What was your favourite a part of the ceremony weekend?
Thanks! I nonetheless can’t consider it occurred. The weekend was unimaginable, not only for the induction but in addition for reuniting with household, buddies, coaches, and teammates. Being inducted displays the exhausting work and dedication I put into my sport and time at UCLA. Once I arrived, I wasn’t an ideal pupil or athlete. College and coaching had been robust, and adjusting to life in Los Angeles was a problem. However by exhausting work, open-mindedness, and studying from others, I grew each in athletics and life.
This induction isn’t nearly my achievements — it’s a testomony to the assist from my coaches, teammates, and the UCLA group. Their affect formed my efficiency.
Reconnecting with household, buddies, former teammates, and coaches was a real spotlight. The final time we had been all collectively like that was again after I was competing on the group, and it jogged my memory of the significance of being current with these you like. Household is actually considered one of life’s best treasures.
The considered my identify being completely etched on a wall is unimaginable, and I’m deeply grateful to everybody who influenced my journey, in addition to the Corridor of Fame Committee for this honor. I’m proud to affix the Class of 2024 and be in the identical firm as UCLA greats like John Picket and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
