Athlete of the Week: Serena Fadell, Alter High School

Grade: Senior

Age: 17

Sport: Gymnastics

Claim to fame/honors: Broke school vault record (9.35) last year; state qualifier in vault freshman and sophomore years; most valuable gymnast last year; honor roll student all four years; member of National Honor Society; plans to major in pharmacy in college; competes with GTCO.

Bet you didn’t know … I’ve visited 12 countries

Words you live by: Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly (Robert Kennedy)

Toughest opponent: Myself; at competitions I try to beat my previous scores

Biggest influence: My best friend and teammate Lilly Harvey; she’s really motivational and inspirational

Meet-day rituals: Eat healthy several days before; pray before each competition

What’s on your bedroom walls? Beatles calendar; couple of pictures of my family

When I’m bored I like to … watch videos of sharks

Favorite movie: Jack Reacher

Person who would play you in a movie: Madison Pettis

Favorite TV show: Gossip Girl

Favorite musical artist: Coldplay

I can’t live without: My coaches and teammates

I can live without: TV

Event you’d like to attend: Gymnastics competition at the Olympics

Favorite book: I’m Number Four

Favorite home-cooked meal: Cinnamon cake

Favorite restaurant: Dewey’s Pizza

Favorite smell: Vanilla

Favorite cereal: Honey Bunches of Oats

Store where you’d like a shopping spree: Nike

Vegetable you won’t eat: Artichoke

I’d love to trade places for a day with … Simone Biles

Whose mind would you like to read? My coach Jake Chamberlain

Place where you’d love to travel? Maldives

Talent you’d like to have? Speak several different language fluently

Favorite school subject: Anatomy and chemistry

Favorite athlete: McKayla Maroney

Favorite team: Ohio State Buckeyes

Favorite Olympic sport: Gymnastics

Something in the world I’d like to change: Drug addiction

Favorite sports moment: With my club team, I did a double back at a competition for the first time by myself and I landed it.

Favorite junk food: Chocolate

Best thing about gymnastics: The feeling of success of facing a fear in practice or competition

In 10 years, I hope to be … a pharmacist

Nominate an Athlete of the Week: Send an email to freelance writer Dave Lamb at d_lamb@msn.com. Please include the athlete's name, school, sport and a phone number or email address where we can reach that athlete. Please include Athlete of the Week in the subject line.