University of Minnesota Athletics
Gopher Spotlight: Carmelina Carabajal
3/27/2009 12:00:00 AM | Gymnastics
How many siblings do you have?
One. I have a 16 year old brother named Stephen.
Are you the only gymnast in your family?
My mom was a gymnast.
Who in your family are you most like?
My dad
How old were you when you started gymnastics?
Three
What is your favorite event to compete in?
Beam
What is the most difficult thing the coaches have you do in practice?
Conditioning at the end of a hard practice.
What is the most fun thing the coaches have you do in practice?
I love learning the aerobics at the beginning of the year.
What is your pre-competition ritual?
Pancakes with peanut butter for breakfast, and then I visualize my routines.
What makes you love gymnastics?
I love the feeling that I get when all my hard work pays off in a win!
Was there a gymnast who was your idol when you were growing up?
I loved the Magnificent 7 of the 1996 Olympics.
If you had a free afternoon, what would you spend your time doing?
I would probably watch a movie or play video games with Ben.
What is your favorite winter activity in Minnesota?
Ice Skating
What is your favorite summer activity in Minnesota?
Going to the lake.
Other than gymnastics, which sports do you love to watch in the Olympic Games?
Diving
What is your favorite Gopher team other than gymnastics?
I love to watch the basketball and hockey games.
What is your favorite magazine to read?
People
If your life story were going to be made into a movie, what actress would you want to play you?
Reese Witherspoon, even though she looks nothing like me.
Do you like to cook, and if so, what’s your favorite meal to make?
I LOVE to cook, especially for other people. I like cooking New Mexican food because nobody in Minnesota has ever had it.
What is one thing you have to pack for every road trip?
Sidoku books to do on the plane.
What is one song you could listen to over and over without getting tired of hearing it?
"Come on Get Higher" by Matt Nathanson
What is your most prized possession?
A ring that my grandparents gave me.
If you won millions of dollars in the lottery, what’s the first thing you would buy with your winnings?
I would build my parents their dream house.
What is your favorite vacation destination?
Europe.
What is the best gift you’ve ever received?
A free education to do the sport I love.
What is your favorite memory as a Golden Gopher so far?
Making it to Nationals in 2008.
What are you most proud of?
I am so proud of the relationships I have made. The people in my life are my backbone and I am proud of them all.
What is one goal you hope to accomplish before you graduate?
I want my team to make it to Nationals in 2009 so I can end my carrier at the top.
Looking ahead to your post-college career, what would your dream job be?
I am going to be a nurse.
Describe yourself in three words:
Loving, optimistic, goofy
Players Mentioned
