Athlete Spotlight: Julia Skari

JAMESTOWN – The demands of training and preparation that go into gymnastics is often why a majority of gymnasts don’t branch out and compete in other sports throughout the year.
Jamestown’s Julia Skari is the exception.
Not only is the senior one of the state’s top gymnasts, she also performs at a high level in the pool and on the track. This past fall she placed 11th in the finals of the state diving event. And at the Class A track meet last May, she placed second in the 300 hurdles and seventh in the 100 high hurdles.
“Julia is a very gifted athlete...and having the inner drive that she does is what makes her so successful,’’ said Jamestown coach Bre Carlson. 
That can be seen in gymnastics where her hard work and talent are on full display.
“The hardest part (of gymnastics) is your mindset, Skari said. “In order to be good you need to have the mindset of wanting to me good, and wanting to put the effort in because it doesn’t just come naturally.”
Julia was introduced to gymnastics at age six and from the start it was the sport for her. She steadily climbed up the levels and eventually getting to perform in competitions. That set the stage for her high school career that began as a seventh grader. Practicing and competing alongside teammates several years older can be intimidating, but Julia said she the love and support of those olders teammates helped her gain confidence right away.
“The team is what makes this sport so fun,’’ she said. “I have kept loving this sport because of my talented teammates that I have been with my whole career. If it wasn’t for my teammates, who are my best friends, this sport would not be the same.”
Carlson knew she had a bright future. “From a young age it was clear Julia was going to be a successful gymnast, Carlson said. “She has an incredible amount of natural ability, but is also very coachable and determined. The combination of those things is what makes her outstanding at her sport.”
During her six years in the program, she has scored a 9.0 o higher in an event over 160 times. A feat very few in the Blue Jay program have accomplished.
The weeks are busy for Julia and her teammates during the season. “We have morning conditioning on Mondays and Wednesdays and after school we practice for two or two and a half hours,’’ she said.
That time is spent on the four disciplines –  vault, uneven bars, balance beam and floor exercise. 
The day before a meet is spent going through many routines on each event to get comfortable before competition day.
Like any sport, some training days are harder than others. Things don’t always click, but that is why sticking with the process and staying positive is essential.
Carlson said the team’s success is due to the gymnasts willing to stay focus and work to improve their skills. “Julia is always working on improving her skills to help the team. She is also an excellent motivator for the other girls. She has been really good about taking some of the younger girls under her wing and encouraging them to try new skills.”

As mentioned, Skari’s sports resume includes diving for the Blue Jays swim team and running hurdles and sprints for the track squad. Those sports help her perform well in gymnastics.
“In diving, you really have to learn to control your body and know body awareness before you hit the water, Skari said. 
“In gymnastics, you need good body control which is why diving helps me. Track helps me with my speed and endurance for the floor and vault (events).”

While Julia posts solid scores in all four events, her favorite is the floor exercise. “The music, the dance, the cheering and the energy (it brings) is great,’’ she said. “You are able to bring your personality out and just dance and have fun with it.”
And the event that is the most challenging?
“The beam,’’ she said. “When it comes to competing,  I let the nerves get the best of me which causes to shake and wobble through the routine.”
Fortunately, those moments have been few, and she is having an impressive final season. Skari is currently rated in the top three in all four events but is always striving to add in a few new skills on some events to help raise her scores.
“The key is getting ready for the end of the season,” Carson said. “The old saying, ‘practice makes perfect’ really applies in gymnastics. (And) the more of the skills you do, the luckier you seem to get.”
The final season is often bittersweet. One more chance to compete and spend time with the teammates, but knowing the end is near. “My ultimate goal (this season) was to have a positive mindset and not take anything for grant with the moments I have left.”
days.