HI, I'm Tatum & I started gymnastics at the age of 2. It took me a few different invitations to join the competitive team at my gym. It was a beautiful pink leo with rhinestones that finally won me over and after competing & winning AA at my first meet I was hooked! I am now training level 10 at Oklahoma City Gymnastics in OKC, OK. My amazing coaches Giovanna (Gou) Romero & Manuel Navarez push me to do my best & to reach my goals.
In 2018, I was the top qualifier for the Oklahoma team that represented our state at the National Judges Cup State Challenge in Portland, OR. I finished 2nd AA at that meet & the Oklahoma team finished 4th. I also received the Nadia Spirit award at the Nadia Comaneci Invitational presented by Nadia herself. As a level 7, I finished 2nd AA at my state meet and ended my season as the Region 3 Bar and Floor champ and 2rd in the AA. As a level 8, I placed 1st AA at all but two of my season meets & qualified to regionals again. At regionals I finished as the Region 3 Sr A bar & floor champion as well as finishing 3rd in the AA with my season best score. As a level 9, I placed 1st AA at state, 4th AA at regionals, and went to Westerns placing 2nd on Beam & 4th in the AA.
Gymnastics has taught me so many things. I have learned about discipline & determination, that sometimes things are hard but fighting through brings so much joy, that courage is not being scared but continuing despite the fear, that the rewards far outshine the disappointments & that failure is only the beginning of success. Gymnastics is so much more than what you see in the Olympics & I am so grateful to be able to be a part of it. I have been blessed to be a part of an amazing gym with an awesome group of girls that have encouraged & continue to encourage me along my journey.
My long term goal is to compete in college & be able to give back to my sport through coaching & judging. It is such a great honor to be nominated for Gymnast of the Year!!! I feel that God has given me a great talent & I hope to give Him all the glory!
