Fresh Meat with Pam and Anne- Mike Deitz and JJ Jindra

On January 28, 2012 we had a blast meeting up with Mike Deitz and JJ Jindra of the Men’s gymnastics team. Both Deitz and Jindra are from Northern Virginia, where they both started gymnastics at a very young age. Here at the college, Deitz plans on majoring in Psychology and participates in floor, vault, and high bar events. Jindra is undecided in his major but is considering Math, Physics, or Business as possible options, he participates in all events.  The two of them have both done really well this season; both have been honored as Eastern Athletic Collegiate Conference Rookie of the week.

Pam and Anne: How did you guys get started in gymnastics?

Deitz: My older sisters did gymnastics, so I was in the gym with them all the time. And finally my parents put me in a class.

Jindra: I went to a birthday party when I was five years old, and one of the coaches asked if I wanted to start taking classes. I decided I would give it a shot, and ended up liking it a lot and never stopped.

Pam and Anne: What would you say your biggest accomplishment has been?

Deitz: Getting into William and Mary

Jindra: I think it’s when I qualified for Visa championships, my sophomore year in high school. I got 18th at junior nationals it got me to senior nationals in August; I had the meet of my life. It was pretty memorable.

Pam and Anne: Did you play any other sports in high school?

Deitz: No, gymnastics takes up a lot of time, I was in the 18 hours a week and that’s less than most gyms.  How many was it for you?

Jindra: 20-24, I remember thinking about wrestling, a bunch of my friends were on the team.

Deitz: Me too actually, I wanted to do wrestling.

Pam and Anne: Where do you draw your inspiration?

Deitz: My mother, I have a very sick mother, and just her will to get through everything, is, you know, very motivational.

Jindra: My motivation just comes from my desire to win. I am very ambitious. For example our goal right now is to win ECAC [Eastern collegiate Athletic conference] championships, it’s what we’re all striving to do.  It’s like, what I really want to get out of gymnastics right now.

Pam and Anne: Do you have a motto or a saying that you live by?

Deitz: Yes, something along the lines of, find the humor in things.

Jindra: I have like 20. Go for it! Live your life to the fullest and be happy doing it. Oh, and always believe in yourself.

Pam and Anne: If Hollywood made a movie about your life, who would you want to play the lead role as you?

Deitz: Brad Pitt

Jindra: I would say, Ashton Kutcher, cause he’s the man.

Pam and Anne: Favorite TV shows?

Deitz: Friends, by far.

Jindra: It used to be House, but now I think it’s the Walking Dead

Pam and Anne: If you could have one superpower what would it be?

Deitz and Jindra: Fly

Pam and Anne: Favorite athlete?

Pam and Anne: What do you like to do during your free time?

Deitz: I like to go to the movies with friends

Pam and Anne: Favorite movie?

Deitz: Elf

Jindra: I like hanging out with people, and having a good time. Maybe go out, or see a movie. My favorite movie is Remember the Titans.

Pam and Anne: What’s the weirdest song on your iPod?

Deitz: Hannah Montana’s The Bone Dance

Jindra: Never Had a Dream Come True, SClub 7

Pam and Anne: What are three things you cannot live without?

Jindra: Gymnastics, gymnastics, and gymnastics. Just kidding.

Deitz: I definitely couldn’t live without my family, my friends (teammates), and support and encouragement

Jindra: I would say my friends and teammates, a structured lifestyle (organization), and the Green bay Packers.

Pam and Anne:  What is your biggest pet peeve?

Deitz: People who are really an opinionated and can’t see other people’s perspectives.

Jindra: I think mine is really loud eaters.

Pam and Anne: What’s the most obnoxious food?

Jindra: Sandwiches, you can hear it, as it gets slimier and slimier.

Pam and Anne: Do you guys have any hidden talents?

Deitz: I can write anything on an etch-a-sketch, in cursive or in print.

Pam and Anne: Wow, how did you learn that?

Deitz: I saw it on Elf, and I wanted to try it!

Pam and Anne: How about you JJ?

Jindra: I can find the good in any situation.

Pam and Anne: Random Fact

Deitz: I am one of the tallest gymnasts in the NCAA. (6 feet)

Jindra: - I would say I love the Greenbay packers, but I’m pretty sure that answers two other questions. Oh! I broke a high bar in half.

Pam and Anne: How?

Jindra: I was just swinging around, warming up for a release. At the very bottom, the bar just snapped straight in half.

Today is the St. Gymnastricks Day Green out at 7 pm in Kaplan. Make sure to wear green and cheer on Mike Deitz, JJ Jindra, and the rest of the men’s gymnastics team, at their last home meet of the season as they take on both the Temple and Army gymnastics teams. Make sure to also come out for the Women’s gymnastics team’s last meet, this Sunday at 2 pm in Kaplan.

We’d like to thank Mike Deitz and JJ Jindra for taking the time to sit down and chat with us.

Photos courtesy of www.tribeathletics.com and Bob Keroack