For Karelyn Vega, gymnastics is more than routines—it’s a game of skill and mastery that she fell in love with. The San Juan, Puerto Rico, native and Orlando Metro Gymnastics standout is now bringing her international experience to Arkansas. Vega has overcome both triumphs, including winning the 2023 Level 9 Eastern Championships, and setbacks, including a significant injury that taught her patience and gratitude for the sport
Proud to represent Puerto Rico, Vega plans to continue competing internationally while beginning her collegiate career as a Razorback. Fans can expect her vibrant personality to shine in Bud Walton Arena as she looks to help the Razorbacks chase a national championship and make her mark on college gymnastics.
Responses have been edited for length and/or clarity
Club gym:Orlando Metro Gymnastics
Hometown:San Juan, Puerto Rico
How did you first fall in love with gymnastics? Can you remember the moment or feeling that made you realize it was your sport?
I can’t remember one exact moment when I fell in love with gymnastics, but I knew it was my sport when I started looking at it like a game where I always wanted to get better. Every new skill felt like a challenge that I wanted to figure out and master. Growing up, I watched my older sister train and work on her skills, and I remember wanting so badly to be in the gym doing the same thing. The more time I spent in gymnastics, the more I realized how much I loved pushing myself and seeing my hard work pay off.
What’s one moment in your gymnastics journey you’ll never forget? Whether it’s a big win or a quiet milestone, what made it special?
One moment I’ll never forget is competing at the 2023 Level 9 Eastern Championships. Going into that meet, I felt confident and prepared. I remember telling myself that I was going to win. Even though I had a few mishaps throughout the competition, I never let them shake my confidence. I stayed focused on the bigger picture and trusted the work I had put in all season. Winning the all-around after overcoming those mistakes made the moment even more special because it showed me the importance of believing in myself no matter what happens during a competition.
What skill took you the longest to master, and how did you know you finally mastered it?
My toe hand on bars took me the longest to master. It was one of those skills that took a lot of repetition and patience because everything had to be timed just right. There were times when it felt like I was overthinking every part of it. I knew I had finally mastered it when I stopped having to think about it and could just trust myself to do it naturally. That’s when I knew it had become second nature.
You have competed both for the US in level 10 and for Puerto Rico. How do you balance your club or obligations with international elite?
Balancing both can definitely be challenging at times, but I have a great support system around me. My coaches help me stay organized and focused on my goals, and I try to take everything one step at a time. Competing in level 10 and elite has helped me learn how to manage my time, stay disciplined, and make the most of every training opportunity.
Can you describe what representing Puerto Rico on the international stage means to you personally?
There is so much pride and excitement for me in competing on the international stage and representing Puerto Rico. Being able to wear Puerto Rico across my chest means so much because I know I’m representing not only myself, but also my family, my heritage, and everyone who supports me. I can’t wait for people to hear the Puerto Rico national anthem, and I hope to help create moments that make everyone back home proud
During your college recruiting journey, what made you choose Arkansas?
Arkansas stood out to me because of the team culture, the coaching staff, and the energy surrounding the program. From the beginning, I felt welcomed and supported. I could see myself growing there not only as a gymnast but also as a person. It felt like the place where I could continue chasing my goals while being surrounded by people who genuinely cared about my success
Arkansas is known for having a loud and energetic home environment at competitions. What part of that environment are you most excited—or maybe nervous—to embrace?
I am extremely excited to embrace all of the energy in Bud Walton Arena. I love to dance and get people hyped up, so I think that atmosphere fits my personality perfectly. Having thousands of fans cheering and supporting the team is something I’m really looking forward to experiencing.
Do you plan to continue training elite while competing in college?
Yes, that’s the plan! I love elite gymnastics and representing Puerto Rico, so I would love to continue pursuing those goals while also competing for Arkansas.
Who has made the biggest impact on your gymnastics career, and how have they inspired or shaped your journey?
My family has for sure made the biggest impact on my gymnastics career. They inspire me every day and are always there on the hard days to remind me why I’m doing this. They have supported me through every step of my journey, from the best moments to the toughest setbacks. I honestly wouldn’t be anywhere near where I am today without their constant love, encouragement, and sacrifices.
Gymnastics is full of highs and lows—what’s one of the toughest challenges you’ve faced in your journey, andhow has overcoming it shaped you as both an athlete and a person?
My toughest challenge was tearing my Lisfranc ligament in my foot at the beginning of my sophomore season. It wasn’t ideal, and it was really hard mentally and physically because I had worked so hard to prepare. Even though it wasn’t the situation I wanted, I knew I needed to use that time to get stronger in other areas. Being away from full training helped me understand myself and others more, see things from different perspectives, and appreciate opportunities that I may have taken for granted before. It taught me patience, resilience, and gratitude, and I think it made me a stronger athlete and person overall.
Looking ahead to your college career, what are you most excited to experience—both as a gymnast and in your personal life?
I am most excited to experience the life of a student-athlete. Being able to balance academics and athletics at a high level is something I’ve worked toward for a long time. I’m excited to challenge myself in the classroom, compete alongside an amazing team, and grow as a person while learning how to manage all of those responsibilities.
What’s something on your college gymnastics bucket list?
I want to help the team win a national championship and win NCAA titles for myself. It would be an incredible accomplishment to contribute to a championship team while also achieving personal goals. More than anything, I want to make a positive impact on the program and leave Arkansas knowing I helped make the team better.
Rapid Fire Questions
Vault, bars, beam, or floor?Bars
Which four gymnasts would be on your college gymnastics Mount Rushmore?Trinity Thomas, Kyla Ross, Haleigh Bryant, and Jordan Bowers
What’s your most-used emoji? 😊
What’s one of your pre-meet rituals or superstitions?Eating a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup
What’s one of your gymnastics pet peeves?Gymnova beam
What’s a hidden talent people may not know about?I can touch my nose with my tongue
What do you want to be when you grow up?Sports psychologist or a coach
What’s your favorite leotard your college team has worn?This one!
READ THIS NEXT: Recruit Spotlight: Brooke Reingold
Article by Courtney Varrichio
