Photo by: Alex Mowrey/Pitt Athletics
Newcomer Spotlight: Senior Transfer Catie Conrad
12/13/2017 1:36:00 PM | Women's Gymnastics
Get to know the newcomers of the Pitt gymnastics team
Favorites
Food: SunButter. It is like peanut butter but made with sunflower seeds. Fun fact: I am allergic to nuts so this is my life. I eat it every day for breakfast. My day is structured around when I can have my sunbutter! Completely recommend it to all people with allergies to nuts! It is my favorite thing ever.
Song: "Never Be Like You" on YouTube by Janelle Ginestra is my favorite song and dance to watch. I can listen to it all day and watch it all the time. It truly shows a story on how they perform it.
TV Show: Friends. I have religiously watched this series four times through. Whenever I have free time I always end up turning this on. No matter how many times I have seen an episode I will wholeheartedly laugh until I fall to the ground like I am watching it for the first time.
Movie: "27 Dresses." It is mine and my mother's favorite go-to movie to watch when we are together. We could recite the whole movie word for word. Our favorite part is when they sing "Bennie and the Jets" and we will reenact it anytime it comes on around us. Also, any movie with Katherine Heigl, Sandra Bullock or Jennifer Aniston is our kind of movie!
Quote: "Train your mind to see the good in everything." It takes time to train your brain to think like this. But I solely believe everything in life happens for a reason, good or bad. When something does not go your way, it is okay because you end up learning from that situation. Therefore, if you consistently remind yourself that something good came out of a situation you will never be disappointed. Strive to see the good in everyone you meet, everything you do and every day you see!
Thing about Pittsburgh: The Food!! I have never been around or lived near so many authentic restaurants. There is not one place yet that has disappointed me and the best part about it, I have only seen probably ten percent of the amazing places to eat at here.
Professional Athlete: Magglio Ordóñez of the Detroit Tigers and Steve of the Detroit Redwings. Growing up these two were always my favorite Detroit players to point out and watch. As a family we loved going to the Tigers and Red Wings games so I was able to see a good portion of their careers.
Sport to Watch other than Gymnastics: Detroit everything! Would live and die for this city. Redwings, Tigers and Lions are my three main Detroit sports teams.
Sport Related Memory: Verbally committing to compete at the Division I level in gymnastics. I remember the exact phone call when I got offered a scholarship to Eastern Michigan. It was a dream of mine ever since I was little to compete at the level I am at, and when it finally became real and all the hard work had paid off, I knew it was going to be a moment I remember forever.
Q&A
What made you choose Pitt?
After spending three years at Eastern Michigan, I made the decision to come to Pitt based on opportunity. I was emotional leaving EMU, but I tried to look at life after gymnastics and life after school. Pitt had so much opportunity, and the amount of resources and networking made this decision for me a no brainer. My future is so bright and I can't wait to see what lies ahead. The team this year is truly amazing and I absolutely love the girls, coaches and administration here at Pitt.
What are your biggest strengths as a gymnast?
Leadership, confidence, and mental ability to persevere through tough times. When everything is on the line I love to step up and strive under pressure. I look forward to the intense situations this sport brings and love being relied on during stressful times.
What are some areas of the game you'd like to improve in?
I want to be selfless! I strive to be like my mother, she puts everybody before herself. I want to constantly be an individual that cares about somebody else's needs before my own, and my mom is the perfect role model for me to do so.
What is your (intended) major?
Business Marketing
What are three words that describe you?
Optimistic, Positive, Adventurous
What are your hobbies and interests outside of gymnastics?
Creating relationships with others. Going to the Movies. Any physical activity. I like to climb, hike and run.
Do you have any pre-game rituals or superstitions?
I always eat a banana and SunButter before meets. I have to have a family member at every single meet, no matter how far. I listen to clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose right before I go out and compete! I watch "Creed" as my pump up movie the day before meets too!
What are some of the differences between your hometown and Pittsburgh?
My hometown definitely does not have a bus system like Pittsburgh does. The only buses that circle around are the school buses for kids. It has been hard to learn the intricate bus system here, and I am still trying to learn how it works.
If you could bring one thing from your hometown to Pittsburgh, what would it be?
My dog, Copper. She is a three-year old golden retriever pup.
What is the best advice you've ever been given?
Always make wise choices. This has been preached to me by my mom and dad ever since I was young and they seem to still say it to me every time I say goodbye to them.
If you could meet three people (past or present) who would you want to meet? Why?
Present: Sandra Bullock... She is probably one of the best actresses I have ever watched. Her personality shows in the character, but she is such a strong role model. I would love to meet her.
Past: Grandma Conrad... My grandma passed away when I had just been born so I do not remember her at all. I hear so many amazing stories about my dad's mother that I would do anything to meet her in person.
Future: My future husband... Don't you just want to know and meet who you are going to spend the rest of your life with!
If you could be a star in any sport, other than gymnastics, which one would it be?
Volleyball. I just love watching it, have a blast playing it for fun and have met some pretty cool people who play the sport.
Who had the greatest impact on your life? Why?
My dad. He and I are two peas in a pod. He has helped me with every major decision I have made in life and I am not sure I would be the person I am today without him.
Food: SunButter. It is like peanut butter but made with sunflower seeds. Fun fact: I am allergic to nuts so this is my life. I eat it every day for breakfast. My day is structured around when I can have my sunbutter! Completely recommend it to all people with allergies to nuts! It is my favorite thing ever.
Song: "Never Be Like You" on YouTube by Janelle Ginestra is my favorite song and dance to watch. I can listen to it all day and watch it all the time. It truly shows a story on how they perform it.
TV Show: Friends. I have religiously watched this series four times through. Whenever I have free time I always end up turning this on. No matter how many times I have seen an episode I will wholeheartedly laugh until I fall to the ground like I am watching it for the first time.
Movie: "27 Dresses." It is mine and my mother's favorite go-to movie to watch when we are together. We could recite the whole movie word for word. Our favorite part is when they sing "Bennie and the Jets" and we will reenact it anytime it comes on around us. Also, any movie with Katherine Heigl, Sandra Bullock or Jennifer Aniston is our kind of movie!
Quote: "Train your mind to see the good in everything." It takes time to train your brain to think like this. But I solely believe everything in life happens for a reason, good or bad. When something does not go your way, it is okay because you end up learning from that situation. Therefore, if you consistently remind yourself that something good came out of a situation you will never be disappointed. Strive to see the good in everyone you meet, everything you do and every day you see!
Thing about Pittsburgh: The Food!! I have never been around or lived near so many authentic restaurants. There is not one place yet that has disappointed me and the best part about it, I have only seen probably ten percent of the amazing places to eat at here.
Professional Athlete: Magglio Ordóñez of the Detroit Tigers and Steve of the Detroit Redwings. Growing up these two were always my favorite Detroit players to point out and watch. As a family we loved going to the Tigers and Red Wings games so I was able to see a good portion of their careers.
Sport to Watch other than Gymnastics: Detroit everything! Would live and die for this city. Redwings, Tigers and Lions are my three main Detroit sports teams.
Sport Related Memory: Verbally committing to compete at the Division I level in gymnastics. I remember the exact phone call when I got offered a scholarship to Eastern Michigan. It was a dream of mine ever since I was little to compete at the level I am at, and when it finally became real and all the hard work had paid off, I knew it was going to be a moment I remember forever.
Q&A
What made you choose Pitt?
After spending three years at Eastern Michigan, I made the decision to come to Pitt based on opportunity. I was emotional leaving EMU, but I tried to look at life after gymnastics and life after school. Pitt had so much opportunity, and the amount of resources and networking made this decision for me a no brainer. My future is so bright and I can't wait to see what lies ahead. The team this year is truly amazing and I absolutely love the girls, coaches and administration here at Pitt.
What are your biggest strengths as a gymnast?
Leadership, confidence, and mental ability to persevere through tough times. When everything is on the line I love to step up and strive under pressure. I look forward to the intense situations this sport brings and love being relied on during stressful times.
What are some areas of the game you'd like to improve in?
I want to be selfless! I strive to be like my mother, she puts everybody before herself. I want to constantly be an individual that cares about somebody else's needs before my own, and my mom is the perfect role model for me to do so.
What is your (intended) major?
Business Marketing
What are three words that describe you?
Optimistic, Positive, Adventurous
What are your hobbies and interests outside of gymnastics?
Creating relationships with others. Going to the Movies. Any physical activity. I like to climb, hike and run.
Do you have any pre-game rituals or superstitions?
I always eat a banana and SunButter before meets. I have to have a family member at every single meet, no matter how far. I listen to clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose right before I go out and compete! I watch "Creed" as my pump up movie the day before meets too!
What are some of the differences between your hometown and Pittsburgh?
My hometown definitely does not have a bus system like Pittsburgh does. The only buses that circle around are the school buses for kids. It has been hard to learn the intricate bus system here, and I am still trying to learn how it works.
If you could bring one thing from your hometown to Pittsburgh, what would it be?
My dog, Copper. She is a three-year old golden retriever pup.
What is the best advice you've ever been given?
Always make wise choices. This has been preached to me by my mom and dad ever since I was young and they seem to still say it to me every time I say goodbye to them.
If you could meet three people (past or present) who would you want to meet? Why?
Present: Sandra Bullock... She is probably one of the best actresses I have ever watched. Her personality shows in the character, but she is such a strong role model. I would love to meet her.
Past: Grandma Conrad... My grandma passed away when I had just been born so I do not remember her at all. I hear so many amazing stories about my dad's mother that I would do anything to meet her in person.
Future: My future husband... Don't you just want to know and meet who you are going to spend the rest of your life with!
If you could be a star in any sport, other than gymnastics, which one would it be?
Volleyball. I just love watching it, have a blast playing it for fun and have met some pretty cool people who play the sport.
Who had the greatest impact on your life? Why?
My dad. He and I are two peas in a pod. He has helped me with every major decision I have made in life and I am not sure I would be the person I am today without him.
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