Weinstein leading Illini gymnastics

Alina Weinstein is a master in translation. She is fluent in Russian thanks to her mother, Elena. While she does not speak the language on a daily basis, Weinstein understands it and will respond to her mother in English.

So imagine the conversation when you go back more than a decade, as little Alina turned her home into a gymnasium.

"I was using the couches and the furniture in my house as an apparatus and as balance beams," the senior recalls. "So my mom decided that that was enough and that I was going to break my neck. So she put me in gymnastics."

Good choice, mom. Weinstein is now one of the top top gymnasts in the Big Ten.
Her practice has translated into results. She won her first all around regional title last season...

"It's really been a four year process," said coach Kim Landrus. "Alina came in and she was extremely talented as a freshman. She has really continued to progress every single year. I think she has really matured in her gymnastics, her demeanor and how she carries herself every single day. "

Weinstein has touted herself as fearless. Nothing proves that more than an accident on the bars last season, when she slipped and fell. She ended up with a concussion.

"I'm not scared of bars. I'm not scared of gymnastics. But when stuff like that, you have to understand that it is a once in a million thing. Accidents happen. I made a mistake so you kind of have to brush it off."

Boy, did she brush it off. She qualified for nationals last season. but only as an individual. She had to make the trip alone and hopes she will have more company this season.

"I've been there twice, once with my team and once by myself. It is really hard to go out there by yourself. It's a team sport. It's not an individual sport for me at all. And it is really hard to get adjusted to that. I do everything with my team."