Jessica Lopez, who will compete for Venezuela at the Beijing Olympics in August, is considered the best gymnast in University of Denver history. Beginning today, she again will try to prove she’s among the best in the NCAA.
Lopez, a 5-foot junior from Caracas, Venezuela, leads the Pioneers into their second consecutive appearance at the 12-team nationals, which begin today in Athens, Ga.
Seeded last, DU is a longshot to qualify for Friday’s Super Six, the finals of the team competition. But Lopez seems likely to represent the program in Saturday’s individual championships. She is ranked No. 4 nationally in all-around (39.510), tied for No. 2 in floor exercise (9.935) and tied for No. 22 in balance beam (9.870).
Lopez already was in Georgia earlier this week, but she took a timeout to talk with Denver Post staff writer Mike Chambers.
Q: DU recruited you straight from Venezuela, so you’ve only been in the U.S. nearly three years. What was your childhood like?
A: I was a normal child. But when I was 10 years old, I was recruited by two Romanian coaches, and then I became focused on gymnastics. I practiced like eight hours a day, Monday through Saturday. And here I am.
Q: Was it difficult adjusting to the United States and college?
A: I came here by myself. But it’s going pretty well. I’m enjoying the experience.
Q: What do you parents do?
A: My dad works with computers, and my mom is a homemaker.
Q: Will they be in Athens this week?
A: Yes. They didn’t go to nationals last year but were at regionals at Magness (Arena at DU).
Q: Are you looking ahead to the Beijing Games?
A: I feel really excited about it, a real accomplishment. But I’m not thinking about that too much. One thing at a time, one practice, one meet. My mind is at nationals.
Q: You are DU’s fourth All-American but first to collect that honor in multiple events. How will gaining that status in uneven bars, balance beam and floor exercise a year ago help you this time around?
A: The experience is there, and I know I’ll go out there and do my best.
Q: What do you know about DU’s previous All-Americans — Karen Beer (1993, uneven bars), Jennifer Ebdon (2000, floor exercise) and Ashley Shible (2001, vault)?
A: I really don’t know very much about them. Not really.
Q: Favorite part of living in the States?
A: Being part of the team.
Q: What’s the biggest difference between Caracas and Denver?
A: The weather. Back home, it’s always 70 degrees. In Denver, you don’t know what to expect.
All-around activities
Jessica Lopez is leading the
DU gymnastics team into the
NCAA championships this
week. The top five things the
Venezuelan likes to do with
her friends in Denver:
1. Go to the mountains
2. Go to dinner
3. Watch movies
4. Compete with them
5. Travel with my team
Mike Chambers: 303-954-1357 or mchambers@denverpost.com
