Inside: You made the senior Nationwide Workforce for the primary time in 2023. Did that change your perspective on what was doable to your gymnastics?
Nelson: As a junior, making Nationwide Workforce wasn’t one thing I assumed I may do, however after (2023) Winter Cup first day, seeing how shut I used to be, then after making it on second day, it was like a very completely different actuality for me. It’s pushed me to need to work for larger issues that I didn’t assume I used to be going to be able to. Now, I’m attempting to make a push for Olympic Trials, perhaps a person Worlds spot. It’s been an enormous perception factor for me.
This 12 months my focus is on, first, making Nationwide Workforce, then hopefully Olympic Trials, and perhaps get a world task—compete extra outdoors the U.S., which might be thrilling. And, after all, that every one begins by doing properly the remainder of the NCAA season.
NCAA and USA are each equally vital to me. I attempt to focus my mindset utterly on NCAA and the staff once we’re in season, however then I want to start out shifting my focus for particular person competitors.
Inside: You practice, and have competed, the all-around for Ohio State. Does it trouble you when folks see you as a flooring or vault specialist if you’re doing all six?
Nelson: I initially noticed myself as a flooring specialist. I didn’t assume I used to be excellent at vault, however that’s type of modified now.
I’m beginning to see myself extra as flooring, vault, rings and p-bars is in there generally. The opposite occasions are coming alongside, however I admit I generally really feel like I’m simply getting these out of the way in which.
I’m glad that individuals know me for one thing, so I don’t actually care an excessive amount of that the occasions I’m good at are what folks know me for. It simply makes me need to work more durable to indicate them what else I’ve to supply.
Inside: You gained the vault title at each U.S. Championships and Winter Cup in 2023, which looks like the alternative of ‘not excellent.’
Nelson: Effectively, I used to be the one one who did two vaults, however, yeah, as soon as I switched my vault to handspring that occasion was a distinct story.
I twist two alternative ways. I realized round-off a technique and twisting the opposite method. So, I can’t do a Kas entry, like most individuals do on vault. I do a full round-off after which swap instructions to twist off the desk. I’ve at all times executed it like that. It doesn’t trouble me, however it does imply it’s not as straightforward for me to get as many twists in.
I attempted to deal with it my freshman 12 months. Cas actually wished me to modify my cartwheel route, however I may by no means get a very good block that method. I attempted switching my twisting route, and protecting the identical round-off, however simply by no means felt assured doing that. So, transferring to the handspring simply made sense for me.
Inside: How did you first get began within the sport?
Nelson: I began once I was six and we have been residing in Louisiana. It’s the identical story of each different gymnast: I used to be bouncing on the sofa, turning the other way up, simply operating round loopy. My mother was a Degree 10 gymnast and he or she’s been a coach, so she’s the one who put me within the sport.
I did gymnastics for a couple of 12 months and a half, competing ranges 4 and 5, earlier than we moved. My household was within the army, so we’ve moved round so many instances—I’ve lived in, like, 17 completely different homes—so it was one other 2-3 years earlier than I obtained again within the fitness center. I began once more once I was 10-11 and residing in Georgia. That’s once I began being coached by Dan Hayden. I attempted different sports activities—hockey, soccer, akido—however none of them have been as fascinating to me as gymnastics.
Inside: What made you select Ohio State?
Nelson: I’ve recognized Cas since I used to be seven years previous, when he was working in Florida. I went to a camp there and I’ve at all times preferred him as a coach. When he and Sean Melton went to Ohio State, that was what I wished to do, too.
As a senior in highschool, I didn’t have numerous choices. Not many schools have been excited about me, together with Ohio State. I got here right here as a walk-on, with none scholarship, with the sensation that I wanted to show myself. I had that little chip on my shoulder—like, perhaps not sufficient folks believed in me, however I’d present them. Wanting again now, as a junior gymnast, I believe you do type of are likely to over-value your self a bit bit, however it labored out, as I earned a scholarship by my sophomore 12 months.
And, I’m planning to take my fifth 12 months, so I’m not executed but.
