Valeri Ingui is from Walnut Grove, Georgia and is part of LindenwoldÂ’s inaugural senior class, as the program started just four years ago. In InguiÂ’s time as a Lady Lion, she has helped the Lindenwood team explode onto the college gymnastics scene through incredible performances. She was named the 2015 MIC Gymnast of the Year, winning the MIC Championship all-around title with a school-record score of 39.400. Ingui also qualified as an individual to 2015 NCAA regionals.

Ingui and the Lady Lions will take on Mizzou this Sunday for a Missouri duel and FloGymnastics will be streaming the event live starting at 3pm. WATCH HERE.

In todayÂ’s Inside Their World, learn more about Ingui outside of her impressive gymnastics accomplishmentsÂ…


FloGymnastics: What do you love most about gymnastics?
Valeri Ingui: The thing I love the most about gymnastics is having the opportunity to go so many amazing places, and meet a number of inspirational people. Without the sport of gymnastics, I otherwise would not have been able to travel like I have since. I have been at Lindenwood. The best travel experience was when we went to Alaska. We took a number of days just to explore the area, watch the dog sled races, and enjoy nature.

Favorite healthy food and favorite junk food?
My favorite healthy food is celery and peanut butter. My favorite junk food is pizza!!!

What do you like to eat before a competition?
Before a competition, I always look for something that is going to fill me up and keep me going to the next 5 hours. If I have the option I get pesto pasta and a salad.

What is your favorite movie?
My favorite movie is Titanic.

Name one person who has had a huge impact on your involvement in gymnastics and how that person is connected to you (i.e. coach, parent, teacher, other gymnast, etc.)
One person who has had a huge impact on my gymnastics career is my former coach Marika Hopkins. She was my coach most of my club career. My level 9 year she got married and moved on from gymnastics and started a family. She is a tremendous woman. She was never afraid to push me to my limits. At the time she seems like such a hard coach, but looking back, it was so worth it. I am so thankful she was hard on me.

List one goal you have for the next one month, one year, and five years (Either gymnastics related or just in life or some of both)
One goal I have for the next month is to continue to rehab and get my ankle stronger while I am recovering from an injury. In doing this Be ready for our first meet at SEMO on January 8th. A goal I have for the next year is to have a stress-free senior year and to truly enjoy the moment. Gymnastics does not last forever even though we all wish it could. This year it is defiantly my goal to live in the moment and take everything in. My goal for the next 5 years is to hopefully obtain a teaching job and still be a part of the gymnastics community in some form.

Do you know what you want to be when you grow up?
When I grow up, which is not that far away, I am going to be an elementary school teacher. I have one more semester of classes and then I will student teach in the fall of 2016. I am very excited to see what my future teaching career has in store.

WhatÂ’s you favorite event and why?
My favorite event is beam! Beam has always been the event I enjoy doing the most. I love beam because its a challenge, and when you hit an amazing beam routine you truly feel on top of the world.

What is your favorite ice cream flavor?
My favorite ice cream flavor is vanilla.

How old were you when you started gymnastics and how did you get involved?
I was 4 years old when I started gymnastics. My family had just moved from Connecticut to Georgia. One day at home I was flipping over the back of the couch and broke the arm off. My mom also did gymnastics. At this time, my mom figured it was time to bring me to the gym.

What keeps you motivated in the gym?
Knowing there will never be another today is definitely what motivates me in the gym. It is important to make the most of every day, and leave practice and whatever the life events for the day were with no regrets. When I am having a hard time at practice I always remind myself to never give up and also how far I have come.

Are you a morning person or a night owl?
I am a morning person! 6:30 comes and I am up and ready for the day.

What is your favorite book?
My favorite book is Safe Haven.

What is your favorite season of the year - why?
My favorite season is fall! I absolutely love the weather. I also love being outside and enjoying nature, and fall is the perfect season for this. The trees changing and the smell of the air just makes you want to smile.

What is your favorite day of the week?
My favorite day of the week is Sunday. Sundays are a great day to relax and get stuff done around the house. Going to church on Sunday mornings is a great way to start the week off in the right direction.

See Ingui, the rest of the Lady Lions, and Mizzou in action on Sunday!


Related:
Inside Their World: Rachel Zabawa, Lindenwood