AUBURN, Ala. – Another school year means another season of Auburn gymnastics! And as we get ready to kick off the 2024 season in January, it is time to get to know the 10 newcomers to the squad. Next up is freshman Julianne Huff!
Hometown: Hoover, Ala.
Club: JamJev Gymnastics
Prior to Auburn: Five-time Development Program National Championship qualifier … Took third on floor at the 2023 meet … Finished second in the all-around, vault, and floor at the 2022 meet and came in third in the all-around in 2021 … Competed at the 2023 Nastia Liukin Cup … Three-time Region 8 Level 10 All-Around Champion … 2023 Region 8 Level 10 Beam Champion and runner-up on vault, floor and all-around … 2021 Region 8 champion on vault, bars, floor and in the all-around … Finished third on floor and in the all-around at the 2021 Level 10 National Championship … Took fifth on floor and eighth on vault at the 2019 DP National Championship … Competed at the 2019 GK U.S. Classic.
Q: Why Auburn?
A: "I chose Auburn because it felt like home. I have been an Auburn fan my whole life, but I didn't always know I was coming here. Everyone is so welcoming and supportive here. It was the only school where I truly felt like everyone wanted the best for me."
Q: What's your major and why did you choose it?
A: "My major is exercise science. I chose it because I plan to go to PT school and help athletes stay healthy and reach their full potential."
Q: What do you hope to do once you are done with school?
A: "I hope to go to grad school for physical therapy and start working with a sports team either here or somewhere else."
Q: What's your favorite thing about your hometown, what makes it unique?
A: "My favorite thing about my hometown, Hoover, is the size of it. It is the perfect size, not too big and not too small. I also love the location because it's a short drive to many big cities."
Q: What does a typical day in your life at Auburn look like?
A: "My typical day starts with me waking up and going to treatment and then going to my classes. Next, I eat lunch at Wellness and then go to practice. After practice, I go back to Wellness for dinner with my teammates. After that, I usually go to SADC for my study hours."
Q: What's your favorite event and why?
A: "My favorite event is the floor because I love the performance aspect of it. Floor also comes more naturally to me than other events."
Q: What are you most looking forward to here at Auburn?
A: "I'm looking forward to my first meet in Neville Arena. Ever since I committed to Auburn, I have dreamed of my first meet here. The crowd at home meets is incredible and I can't wait for the feeling when I step into the arena."
Q: How did you get involved in gymnastics?
A: "My mom put me in gymnastics classes when I was five years old. I begged her to sign me up because I went to a gymnastics birthday party and loved it."
Q: What is your pre-meet ritual?
A: "My pre-meet ritual is listening to my pre-meet playlist which consists of my favorite songs. Other than that, I don't do anything specific."
Q: What is the coolest thing you've done in the past year?
A: "The coolest thing I've done in the past year was traveling to Turks and Caicos. Turks and Caicos was the prettiest place I've visited by far. We spent a week relaxing and exploring the beautiful country."
Q: What is on the top of your bucket list?
A: "Getting a 10.0 on floor is at the top of my bucket list."
Q: If you were stranded on an island, what three things would you bring and why?
A: "I would bring a pilot, a plane, and gas because the pilot would just fly me home."
Q: If you were in a zombie apocalypse, what person on the team would you want with you?
A: "I would want Paige (Zancan) to be with me because she would give me comedic relief in such a tragic circumstance."
Q: What is the weirdest food you have tried; would you try it again?
A: "The weirdest food I have tried would probably be alligator. I remember it not being that bad, so I would try it again."