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Featured Alumna: Calli Ryals '04
Personal Info | Pictures | Statistics | Fun Bio

"Always keep a balance in your life"
		- Calli Ryals 2003

Nickname(s):		Rylie, Cal
Birthday, Sign:		9/21/82, Virgo
Hometown:		Elyria, Ohio
Parents:		Dineen Ryals & Doug Ryals
Siblings:		Tara, 22 (she’s a buckeye!)
Pets:		none
Major:		Economics
Hobbies:		traveling, shopping, singing, dancing, reading

At what age did you start gymnastics?		5
How did you become involved in gymnastics?		..
What is your favorite event? Why?		Floor. It’s fun and I love to dance. Not as nerve wracking as the other events because you get to let loose and have fun.

What attracted you to the University of Michigan?		The awesome team (some of my best friends) and the fabulous academic reputation.
What is it like competing for U-M?		It’s cool. Different from club because you’re not just competing for your parents; you have friends and lots of fans that make it more exciting to perform. It’s a rush.
What has been your most memorable (gymnastics) moment at U-M?		Beating Georgia my sophomore year, the trip all the way to Alabama for the Super Six Challenge my freshman year.
What has been your most memorable (non-gymnastics) moment at U-M?		Tailgating for football games. Kickin’ it with friends on weekends.

What inspires you to keep going after a disappointing meet or a tough week of practice?		The fact that it’s just a meet!
What advice would you share with up-and-coming gymnasts who aspire to be like you or one of your teammates?		Always keep a balance in your life. Gymnastics is an awesome sport but don’t let it consume your entire life. Find other interests and hobbies too, so if you have a bad day in the gym or an injury you have other positive activities keeping you busy.

actor/actress:	Jim Carrey	song/music:	All kinds: pop, hip-hop, R&B, trance, jungle, drum & bass, acid jazz, trip-hop, ambient
movie:	Dumb & Dumber, American Beauty, Usual Suspects	class/subject:	all sorts of religion classes
food:	Sushi, Ben & Jerry’s, Corn on the Cob, Pizza	website:	mgoblue.com
restaurant:	The Coffee Bean (not Beanery)	volunteer event:	going into my mom’s kindergarten class

Something unique about me:
I have one ten-year old toe. (It broke on the growth plate when I was ten and hasn’t grown since).

Of all the places you have traveled to, which has been your favorite? Why?
Paris….trendy, fast-paced, lots of energy.

Who do you admire most in this world? Why?
I admire many different traits in many different people.

Besides family or friends, what is the ONE thing you couldn't live without?
Sunshine and beautiful weather

What do you plan on doing after you graduate from U-M?
Maybe travel Europe, then move to LA to either find a job in entertainment or try acting.

Best/worst excuse for being late to class/practice:		“I’m NEVER late”
How many inches I’ve grown since 8th grade:		5 maybe. (I was a shrimp)

One thing I will miss about college:		Living in a bubble. (Lots of friends, lots of boys, lots of playtime)
One thing I probably won’t miss about college:		School, homework

My best Halloween costume:		Army Chicks
If I could see anyone in the world do a wicked floor exercise, it would be:		Chris Farley

My choice over saying “soda” or “pop”:		Both
Latest I have ever stayed up at night:		All night baby!! (for OSU vs Michigan football)

What I do on the bus/plane when traveling to away meets:		Get silly with my girls and laugh about anything. Fake study (attempt studying while my teammates distract me) Listen to music, watch DVDs
Best (or strangest) pre-event routine:

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