Senior Auburn gymnast Rachel Inniss has become a crowd favorite this season after incorporating the song "All I Do is Win" and striking a Heisman pose in her floor routine.
Inniss said she considers gymnastics to be one of her greatest passions, but admitted it was something she tumbled into by accident.
At age 7, Inniss attended a cheerleading clinic with her cousin, where the two received passes for a free gymnastics class at a local gym.
Inniss quickly found she enjoyed all aspects of the sport.
Fourteen years later, she continues to pursue her passion as a member of the Auburn gymnastics team.
Inniss grew up in Rio Rancho, N.M. As a freshman at Rio Rancho High School, Inniss was a member of the dance team and she said she still enjoys recreational dancing.
After taking a break from gymnastics her junior year of high school to focus on track, Inniss said she decided to get back on the mat.
She joined the Albuquerque club gymnastics team her senior year of high school and earned the title of New Mexico's Level 10 all-around and individual state champion in 2007.
Inniss also placed fourth on the floor at the 2007 Junior Olympic Nationals.
Inniss earned a gymnastics scholarship to Auburn in April of 2007.
Last April, the 21-year-old was selected to compete in the NCAA gymnastics championship after scoring a 9.9 on her floor routine at regionals.
Inniss finished nationals with a 9.7 in the fifth rotation on floor.
"I didn't perform as well as I would have liked at nationals," Inniss said. "That was my drive for this year."
To prepare for meets, Inniss said she prefers to listen to music or dance in order to distract herself.
"I do better when I'm not thinking about what I'm doing," Inniss said.
Head coach Jeff Graba said he has spent this season getting to know Inniss and views her as a leader both on and off the mat.
"She's definitely a competitor and a hard worker," Graba said. "She is someone you can rely on day-in and day-out."
Sophomore team member Toi Garcia said she considers Inniss to be one of her best friends on the team and someone she looks up to.
"She's real and upfront," Garcia said.
Garcia also said Inniss does not fail to disappoint the team's expectation that she will nail her routines.
"She's been a rock for everyone on the team," Garcia said.
With only a handful of meets left this season, Inniss said the feeling is bittersweet.
She said she will miss the support system her team has given her.
"It's scary to think it's ending because this has been my life for four years," Inniss said.
Majoring in public administration, Inniss plans to graduate next fall. After graduation she said she would like to coach gymnastics and choreograph routines for other gymnasts. She said she wants to stay attached to the sport even if it's just by judging competitions.
"Gymnastics has given me so many opportunities," she said. "I still want to continue my career."
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