Her GymDog routine should go viral. But Sabrina Vega, the person, should be equally as known

The foundation for Sabrina Vega’s now widely-acclaimed floor routine came together the night prior to the deadline.

Georgia’s senior star gymnast grew increasingly nervous about finding a song to compliment her personality and a desire to bow out of her college career in style.

Vega follows a variety of choreographers and dancers on Instagram, and that’s where an extensive search ended. She found her ideal mix, sent it to choreographers Stella and Stacey Umeh (who work worldwide and made a lengthy trip from Canada to visit with the GymDogs). They gave a stamp of approval, and the routine that makes over 10,000 people pause inside Stegeman Coliseum as the song’s first note plays was born.

It features multiple dramatic moments: a doorbell ring to open, a response of “Who’s there?” by her teammates, a series of elaborate tumbling passes, a ferocious kick to shut the door and one last smile while gazing at the crowd to cap off the theatrics.

“It all comes down to being my last year, my last floor routine and my last everything,” Vega said. “I’m going to put everything I have into it. Even if it’s silly like ringing doorbells. Who rings doorbells? I do. I want to love every moment.”

Vega, through four floor routines, has fallen short of a 9.900 only once and has caught the eyes of die-hard gymnastics fans across the country. Vega earned the SEC Specialist of the Week honor after scoring a 9.950 on floor exercise in the win over Auburn.

She even found a place on ESPN’s list of 10 should-go viral routines during the 2020 season. The listicle credits her “entertaining dance” and calls it the highlight of every GymDog meet. She found out about the recognition during a practice, then received texts from her mom, uncle and former coach Suzanne Yoculan Leebern.

Vega has seen the spotlight as a former U.S. National Team member who nearly competed in the Olympic Games. This type of spotlight felt different, and almost sweeter.

Vega has always been a serious type of gymnast. All business, no frills. An opportunity at Georgia changed that, and now she jumps at the chance to have fun in gymnastics, add some drama and play along with a large crowd.

“I’m not going to lie. I said ‘Wait a minute,’” Vega said. “‘You want me to go viral? I won’t be mad about it.’”

She couldn’t believe that her floor routine had approached such a level of attention. At the same time, however, Vega’s show-stealing dance arrangement is worth the honor. It might rank among the top of those 10 listed gymnasts, and has the qualities to reach a Katelyn Ohashi-level peak — which brought the former UCLA gymnast into national discussion with appearances on morning news shows and millions of internet viewers.

The first reason for Vega to go viral is evident— the routine. It is worth all of the fire, smoke and any other pyrotechnics that one’s heart may desire.

“I think it deserves more hype than it’s getting. I’ve never seen someone get into character so quickly during a floor routine,” said sophomore Rachael Lukacs, who bowed to Vega during her response. “When she does the little ‘Ha ha ha,’ I say ‘Yes ma’am. Go off.’ They need to give her a 10 by now. She’s an inspiration to all of us. She gives an example to show off and have fun. That’s her main thing, and that’s why it’s so good.”

Said Rachel Baumann: “It’s jaw-dropping. She gives it everything, and I get chills when watching it.”

A perfect score isn’t the top priority, although many fans are itching for it and head coach Courtney Kupets Carter said there’s potential for it “every time.” Vega wants that score, and so does any other college gymnast who dreams of having her name etched in program lore.

During the team huddle after her routine against Auburn, she looked back toward the judge’s score to see one 10.0, but walked away smiling with a 9.95. If scores are the focus, errors are bound to happen and perfection becomes impossible.

“I’m not worried about numbers or scores. I want to go out and literally pour my heart out every time I compete,” Vega said. “If it gets me that 10, it gets me that 10. If not, I know in my heart that I just gave it my all.”

The second reason why Vega should go viral, well, can also be seen easily. Because Sabrina Vega, the person beyond the dazzling gymnast, has qualities worthy of becoming a household name. Vega, nearing her 25th birthday as a college senior, is the model of how an athlete balances academics, perfecting her craft and sharing the joys of life with others.

Vega’s in a place she never would’ve thought of in 2012. She was on track to make the U.S. Olympic team and compete in London. She won a gold medal during the 2011 World Championships in Tokyo, then her dreams took a different course after falling short of an elite gymnast’s ultimate goal. She struggled to handle the verdict, as she told The Telegraph in 2018, but has taken full advantage of being a Georgia GymDog.

Let’s start with the toughest balance — life as a student-athlete. Maybe life on a pre-med track is a better label, because that academic rigor presents enough challenges for an average student. Vega finds ways to excel in both while lighting up the NCAA gymnastics scene with consistently-dominant results. All thanks to the help of arriving to team functions a bit late at times, a lot of studying and her beloved dog, Loki.

After hanging up her leotard, Vega plans to take an extra semester to boost some of her grades before taking the MCAT exam and preparing to apply for medical school.

“She is really into the swing of things knowing there’s a high expectation in the gym and with her schoolwork,” Kupets Carter said last season.

A few moments sit in between studying and competing. You can probably find Vega spending time with a young, aspiring gymnast. There’s not a week where Vega doesn’t come across a child who looks at the senior as a role model. There’s always a herd of them, in fact.

She apologized Sunday for keeping the media waiting for the press conference because Vega “can’t say no” to a boy or girl who asks for a photo. After the Metroplex Challenge, Georgia sat at a table for 30 minutes while a long line of young spectators waited for conversation and autographs. Vega, with her usual bubbly and outgoing personality, spent time with each fan and posed for endless pictures.

Once the session ended, a security staffer waited for Vega’s interview to end before closing up the Fort Worth Convention Center. He sat and listened as Vega spoke on the importance of the GymDog family — in response to the moonwalk tradition, of course.

He interjected “Can I add something?” Vega obliged.

“I’ve never seen anything like this before,” the staffer said, referencing the autograph session. “You are such an inspiration with every little boy and girl, and I loved seeing them so excited.”

Vega couldn’t dream of her routine entering the “viral” discussion, especially after narrowly meeting the deadline for music selection. Her gymnastics is worth the famed label. As you watch Vega shine on the floor, also remember her away from it.

Her qualities as a human being and balancing life as an athlete hold equal importance. There is more than one reason for Vega to go viral.

“That’s what it’s all about,” she said. “You give your entire life to gymnastics. You have four years to really enjoy what you gave your life to. That 20 minutes you take to sign something could change someone’s life.”

This story was originally published February 5, 2020 at 5:37 PM with the headline "Her GymDog routine should go viral. But Sabrina Vega, the person, should be equally as known."