By Kaitlin Sides | Reporter
In 2008, when Highland Park, Ill. freshman Naomi Skotnikov was just a toddler she started her gymnastics journey. Her pediatrician said she was in the lower percentile for coordination and recommended physical therapy. Instead, she joined rhythmic gymnastics. Now, she is ranked eighth nationally for rhythmic gymnastics after being part of the National Team since 2019.
Throughout her years as a gymnast she has learned to make time for gymnastics and to sacrifice certain things. Often when growing up, she didn’t have time for a Friday birthday party because she would have practice.