By Luan Peszek
Photo ©FIG

Twenty-year-old Julie Zetlin made the all-around finals at the Rhythmic World Championships, becoming only the second American to make the all-around finals. We caught up with Julie after she returned to her hometown of Gaithersburg, Md., where she trains with Olga Kutuzova at Capital Rhythmics and here's what she had to say!

USA Gymnastics: Were you pleased with how things went at World Championships?
Julie Zetlin: I'm very happy. I had certain goals going into the competition like I wanted to stay consistent and calm. I've had the number eight in my head for a while now because I wanted to make all-around finals and there are four routines in prelims and four routines in finals. I knew I had to stay consistent and calm and hit those eight routines.

USA Gymnastics: How did it feel when you learned you made all-around finals?
Julie Zetlin: It was a really big anticipated feeling. I left the competition after I was done. I was on an emotional rollercoaster. My parents and USA Gymnastics stayed at the arena and were keeping me posted. It was finally official after I heard it from my coach and Caroline Hunt that I had made finals. It was like a huge weight lifted off my shoulders.

USA Gymnastics: Did you hit all of your routines like you wanted in all-around finals?
Julie Zetlin: Pretty much. I may have done some routines a little better but for my first time competing at the World Championships all-around finals with all of those great gymnasts, I'm happy with how I did. I definitely have something to work toward for the next World Championships.

USA Gymnastics: What was the best part of the trip?
Julie Zetlin: I liked being a leader for the team. The other girls were younger and I remember being the young one, I enjoyed being the older one at this competition.

USA Gymnastics: What was the most difficult part of the trip?
Julie Zetlin: The very first day of competition I was really nervous. After the first routine I let out a huge sigh, so I guess the hardest part for me was dealing with all of my emotions.

USA Gymnastics: What are your goals for the future? Keeping my routines sharp and clean while preparing for Pan American Championships in December and also working on new routines for next season. I hope to perform my best and be consistent and show that the USA is really strong and deserves what we get. Hopefully, the USA will keep getting higher and higher in the rankings. Another goal for me is to perform from my heart.

USA Gymnastics: Anything else you'd like to add?
Julie Zetlin: I just want to thank the team, my coach, the other coaches, and also USA Gymnastics. We had a really good team!