Jan. 6, 2015
Sophomore
Alpharetta, Ga.
By Megan Bifano
Kelsey Kopec , a redshirt sophomore for the Tigers, scored two career highs versus Missouri in her first season competing for the Tigers. Kopec holds bests of 9.750 on vault and 9.875 on bars as well as scoring 9.8 or higher six times on bars during the 2014 season.
The Alpharetta, Ga., native is majoring in Mechanical Engineering and loves the feeling that Auburn is truly a "big family." She would love to have dinner with Derek Jeter and would love to work in NASCAR as an engineer someday. Kopec is eager to begin the new season on Friday at North Carolina and especially to compete in SEC meets later in the season.
Q: Why Auburn?
A: "I chose Auburn because of the beautiful campus and the quality of education. I also like the competitiveness of all the sports and being able to compete in the SEC. I truly feel like everybody is like a family here and most everyone I meet is very nice. I also love the Auburn traditions."
Q: If you could have dinner with any person (athlete or not), who would it be and why?
A: "If I could have dinner with any person, I think it would be Derek Jeter. I am such a big baseball fan, and after living in New York for a few years when I was younger, I am also a Yankees fan. He is legendary to the sport, and I think it would be really cool. He really does seem like someone who is a good representation of the sport, and I have always been a fan of him. I would also think it was cool because it would give me another excuse to go back to New York!"
Q: If you could play any other sport, what would it be?
A: "If I could play any other sport, it would probably be baseball. I have been a baseball fan since before I can remember. My brother plays baseball, so I grew up being around it really all the time spending weekend after weekend at his baseball tournaments. It is one of my favorite sports to watch, and I love attending baseball games."
Q: What is your dream job when gymnastics comes to and end?
A: "My dream job would to be to work with NASCAR as an engineer. I am a big NASCAR fan, and I really enjoy seeing what all is done behind the scenes in addition to watching the racing. I am majoring in Mechanical Engineering, so I feel like I could put my degree to good use with that." ââ'¬Æ'
Q: If we were to look on your iPod before a meet, what would be playing?
A: "Before a meet, I usually have the same playlist of Florida Georgia Line and some other popular country artists. Mixed in with that is normally whatever is popular from hip-hop to pop to rock."
Q: Do you have any pre-meet superstitions?
A: "Before every meet, I make sure I eat a PB&J. I also do my hair the same for every meet in addition to wearing my rubber band bracelets that I wear every single day. Nothing too excessive ââ'¬¦ more just small things. I also listen to my music playlist and take pictures with my teammates."
Q: What is your favorite Auburn tradition?
A: "I love so many of the Auburn traditions. I can't just pick one. I would have to say that my favorite traditions are the eagle flying at football games and the rolling of Toomer's Corner. I love the eagle flying because it starts off every football game the right way and is something that is specific to our school. I like Toomer's Corner because it is a place where every Auburn fan can celebrate victories in any sport. I think it looks so pretty with the toilet paper all over every tree on that corner."
Q: What does the Auburn Family mean to you?
A: "The Auburn Family is something new to me because I am the first one in my family to attend Auburn. It really means a lot to me because it is true that everyone that comes to this school is like a big family. Everyone is so welcoming and nice. After I graduate, the Auburn Family is something that I can hold on to for the rest of my life from the traditions, sports, my education, and my experiences here. Even though I am the first person in my family to attend Auburn, my family members have developed a special connection with Auburn as well, and I think that they feel like a part of the Auburn Family, too."