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Featured Athlete: Elise
Ray
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| "Success
is a Journey, not a destination." |
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- Elise Ray2003 |
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| Nickname(s): |
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ERay, Erizzy |
| Birthday, Sign: |
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2/6/82, Aquarius |
| Hometown: |
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Columbia, MD |
| Parents: |
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Bill & Ellen Ray |
| Siblings: |
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Taylor Ray, 23 |
| Pets: |
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cats Penny & Miles,
dog Zoe (at home) |
| Major: |
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communications |
| Hobbies: |
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arts & crafts,
listening to music,
hanging with friends |
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Q & A - About Gymnastics and U-M
| At what age did you start
gymnastics? |
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6 |
| How did you become involved
in gymnastics? |
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Had a lot of energy as a
kid and wanted some recreational fun –
who would have guessed where it would take
me…… |
| What is your favorite event?
Why? |
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Bars, it is the event that
comes the most naturally to me and is the
most fun. |
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| What attracted you
to the University of Michigan? |
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The great reputation
of academics and athletics, the incredible
closeness of the team, and the unique town
of Ann Arbor. |
| What is it like competing
for U-M? |
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The feeling is indescribable.
Not only do you have your teammates, who are
your closest friends behind you when you’re
competing, but you have the entire school
and community behind you. |
| What has been your
most memorable (gymnastics) moment at U-M? |
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Winning Big Ten’s
my freshman year. I had heard how amazing
it was to sing “Hail to the Victors”
on the 1st place podium, but hearing about
it and experiencing it are two totally different
feelings. |
| What has been your
most memorable (non-gymnastics) moment at
U-M? |
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Moving into my house.
This was it: cooking on my own, cleaning,
playing bills – I felt all grown up.
I wouldn’t give up this independent
lifestyle for anything, though, it doesn’t’
matter how many dishes I have to wash. |
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| What inspires you to keep
going after a disappointing meet or a tough
week of practice? |
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One of my favorite quotes
is “Success is a Journey, not a destination,”
nothing could be more true. Enjoying each
moment and pushing through the ups & downs
are what create that journey. There’s
going to be another meet and another day of
practice, so do what you can to fix your mistakes
and stay positive. |
| What advice would you share
with up-and-coming gymnasts who aspire to
be like you or one of your teammates? |
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Never settle, expect more,
and push more out of yourself than you think
you can do. You’ll probably be amazed.
Always do what makes you feel good inside;
be in touch with your mind and body always. |
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Some of my Favorites include...
actor/actress: |
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Denzel Washington |
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song/music: |
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R&B, hip-hop, rap |
movie: |
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Titanic |
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class/subject: |
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anything that forces me to
think outside the lines |
food: |
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cereal |
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website: |
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www.eliseray.net hahaha |
restaurant: |
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Mongolian BBQ |
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volunteer
event: |
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visiting the kids at Mott’s
Children’s Hospital |
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Q & A - About You Personally
Something
unique about me:
My ability to play
many different roles.
Of all the places
you have traveled to, which has been your
favorite? Why?
China, because it was
a totally different experience for me, nothing
was like the US. It forced me to expand
my comfort level. Oh, and the shopping was
amazing – I came back with 5 pairs
of shoes.
Who do you
admire most in this world? Why?
My brother Taylor
– he has gone through Ranger Training
school in the Army where physically &
mentally he was pushed to limits one cannot
even imagine, limits I cannot even fathom
being pushed to.
Besides family
or friends, what is the ONE thing you couldn't
live without?
Music – it is
my escape
What do you
plan on doing after you graduate from U-M?
Before I enter
the working world, I want to spend a couple
years performing, perhaps in Cirque du Soleil
or a dance troop. Dance is one of my passions. |
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Some Random Facts!
one
word to describe me: |
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faithful |
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favorite
sport at age 7: |
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kickball |
favorite
leotard: |
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any leotard I wore at
the Olympics |
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favorite
sport at age 17: |
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basketball |
shoe
size: |
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6.5/7 |
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cell
phone color: |
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silver |
shampoo
i use: |
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Thermasilk |
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favorite
jellybean flavor: |
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tutti-frutti |
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Even More Random Facts!
| Best/worst excuse for being
late to class/practice: |
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I couldn’t find my
car. |
| How many inches I’ve
grown since 8th grade: |
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Considering I wear nothing
but big-heeled shoes now, I would say quite
a bit. |
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| One thing I will miss
about college: |
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Having everything and
everyone within a 5-mile radius. |
| One thing I probably
won’t miss about college: |
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cramming for midterms
and finals |
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| My best Halloween costume: |
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Ghetto Fabulous Rappers |
| If I could see anyone in
the world do a wicked floor exercise, it would
be: |
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Prof. Ralph Williams |
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| My choice over saying
“soda” or “pop”: |
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Soda, although I think
I’m going to switch |
| Latest I have ever
stayed up at night: |
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I guess I’ve stayed
up all night at one time or another, but never
again – it messes me up for days. |
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| What
I do on the bus/plane when traveling to away
meets: |
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I try and do homework, but
that always turns into napping. Other than
napping, I either listen to music or write
in my journal. |
| Best
(or strangest) pre-event routine: |
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A good old cup of coffee,
and some good tunes to fire me up. |
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