Meet Audrey Snyder, a five-star recruit from Annapolis, Maryland, a level 10 at Thrive Gymnastics, and a future Clemson Tiger. A former senior elite, Snyder has built an impressive international résumé, highlighted by standout performances at the Jesolo Trophy, U.S. Championships and the Junior Pan American Games. Her journey has been shaped by resilience, growth, and a steady rise through the elite ranks
We caught up with Snyder to talk about her path to Clemson, what it means to compete alongside her sister, and the cheeseburger ritual that gets her meet-ready
Responses have been edited for length and/or clarity
College team:Clemson
Hometown:Annapolis, Maryland
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 started to fall in love with gymnastics when I was little and attending open gym outside of classes. I didn’t really know I was good at gymnastics, but I remember thinking it was exciting trying new skills. I realized it was my sport when I wanted to keep improving at such a young age.
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?
I will never forget being picked as an alternate for the Junior Pan American Games and having to step up into the competition role. It ended up being my favorite competition because of the atmosphere in Rio and the girls with me.
You’ve got lots of upgrades in the works. What skills are you most excited about putting on the competition floor?
I am working toward a harder vault right now; I have been training a Yurchenko one and a half and front handspring pike half. I also started working on a front aerial back handspring layout step-out on beam, which I find really fun! On floor, I am training a front tuck step-out to double back!
You were committed to Auburn for nearly two years before opening up your recruitment after the coaching change and ultimately switching to Clemson. What went into that decision, and what made Clemson the right place for you?
Switching from Auburn to Clemson was a very difficult decision to make because of the coaching change. I really liked all of the Auburn coaches, but I knew there were going to be big changes to the staff. I ultimately felt the best decision was to join my twin sister Sydney at Clemson. I had seen the campus before because of her visits and had also met the coaches. I love the Clemson coaches because of their bubbly personalities, and I am confident in my future there!
How meaningful is the opportunity to compete alongside your sister at Clemson?
This is truly an opportunity of a lifetime, and I can’t wait to see how both of us contribute to the team. We have always competed together and been in the same place, so it just feels right!
Between the commitment switch, injury recovery, and preparing for college, you have been going through a major transition period. What has helped keep you grounded through it all?
This year has definitely challenged me, with my injury and the commitment switch, but I like to stay positive and surround myself with good people. I am always working on getting better in the gym, so the injury wasn’t too much of a setback. I was still working out and conditioning to get stronger so my skills could come back in no time. I also think God has special ways of making the right path for everyone, and being at the same college as Sydney is a blessing.
Who has made the biggest impact on your gymnastics career, and how have they inspired or shaped your journey?
My twin sister Sydney has made the biggest impact on my gymnastics career. She is always by my side and pushing me to be the best for myself.
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?
One of my toughest challenges throughout my gymnastics career was having to compete internationally while being injured. I competed in the Jesolo Trophy meet as a junior with an injured back on the first day of competition. I continued the competition the next day for event finals and won gold on beam and silver in the all-around for the U.S. After coming back from Italy, I took a couple of months off from gymnastics but was able to come back for the U.S. Championships and qualified for senior elite! Overcoming this showed me how strong I am physically and mentally.
Looking ahead to your college career, what are you most excited to experience—both as a gymnast and in your personal life?
As a gymnast, I am most excited about traveling. I feel like it will be really awesome being in the ACC and getting to go to places like Cal and Stanford! I am also excited to see how I grow as a person in the college atmosphere while having to navigate life without my parents!
What’s something on your college gymnastics bucket list?
I really hope to learn and compete a harder vault that starts from a 10.0 in college.
Rapid Fire Questions
Vault, bars, beam, or floor?Floor
Which four gymnasts would be on your college gymnastics Mount Rushmore?Jordan Bowers, Suni Lee, Ashley Glynn, Aleah Finnegan
What’s your most-used emoji? 😊
What’s one of your pre-meet rituals or superstitions?Getting a cheeseburger the night before competition 😂
What’s one of your gymnastics pet peeves?Having to move mats around and the mats not cooperating
What’s a hidden talent people may not know about?I’m good at tubing behind the boat
What do you want to be when you grow up?Financial advisor
What’s your favorite leotard your college team has worn?This oneorthis one!
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Article by Courtney Varrichio
