Alexandra McMurty, 13, is not your average recreational 7th grade gymnast. She's a straight A student determined to achieve her lifetime goal of being in the Olympics. In order to reach this goal, her weekly schedule far surpasses the work week of many professional adults. Alexandra promptly leaves school every day at 3 pm and goes home to work on homework for about an hour. Prior to her gymnastics practice, she sneaks in a protein bar, and practices with her two Russian coaches, Boris and Larissa Choutkin, between 4:30 and 8:30. At 9 pm she eats dinner and continues to finish up her school work, only to repeat the same schedule the following day.

Alexandra's performance level is that of a Level 10 gymnast. To put this in perspective, there are seven levels of gymnastics before you are promoted to an elite level. The average gymnast may take several years per level, however, Alexandra is already on her way to test for elite this summer.

 “I like the uneven bars because I don't think it's the most challenging, and it's comforting swinging back and forth,” Alexandra said. She has about 12 skills on the bars and is current working on another single bar release move.
 
Last year, Alexandra was one of the top 5 gymnasts in the nation for her age group who went on to the Olympic Training Camp in Colorado Springs, CO. As a part of this prestigious group, the Olympic committee fully funds the expenses for the gymnast and their coaches to attend. Alexandra was modest in admitting that she did most of the talking during her excursion with her two coaches who speak predominately Russian.

Alexandra was also one of the 7 competitors in her age group from the East Coast to be invited to tour England. While going from gym to gym to practice throughout her tour, Alexandra also took the time to take some photos in London. From those photos, she has chosen to paint a portrait of Big Ben in her art class she attends once a week. Her school lets out early every Wednesday, and during this time, she sneaks in an hour to express herself through painting.

Super Hero Name: Supergirl
Super Powers: “I would like to fly because I kinda already do. Or I'd like to read people's minds, in Middle School you just never know.”