AUBURN, Ala. - With the 2026 gymnastics season approaching, it is time to meet all the new faces joining the squad this year. Closing out the week with freshman Rebekah Smith!
Hometown: Houston, Texas
Year: Freshman
Major: Wildlife Enterprise Management
Prior to college: Competed at the junior elite level and has had a lot of success at Level 10 … 2022 Level 10 Development Nationals qualifier … Beam state champion and finished second in the all-around and on bars and third on vault at the 2022 Texas State meet … Competed at the 2020 Nastia Liukin Cup as a junior and came in fifth in the all-around … 2019 Hopes Classic vault champion.
Q: What was your first visit to Auburn like? What about Auburn made you want to come here?
A: My first visit to Auburn felt like home right away! I loved the coaches, the atmosphere was so welcoming, and Auburn had the major I wanted to study. Everything about it just felt right; the campus, the people, and the overall energy were incredible.
Q: How has the first semester of college been? What has been the most significant adjustment?
A: The hardest parts for me have been getting used to being away from home and figuring out how to manage my time with everything that comes with being a student-athlete at Auburn.
Q: Who is your biggest role model, and why?
A: My biggest role model is my sister because of everything she’s overcome and accomplished. She’s always been there for me no matter what.
Q: What Auburn traditions are your favorite, and why?
A: My favorite Auburn traditions are rolling Toomer’s Corner and swag surfing. I love how both bring everyone together and show just how much of a family Auburn really is.
Q: What or who keeps you motivated on the hard days?
A: Honestly, my younger self. Being on this team means everything to me, and even on the hard days, remembering that it’s a privilege to be here makes it all worth it.
Q: What’s your favorite home-cooked meal?
A: I don’t really have a favorite home-cooked meal, but I grew up eating my mom’s pasta salad. Everyone who has ever had it says it’s their favorite.
Q: What hobbies do you enjoy outside of gymnastics?
A: I enjoy board games, fishing, spending time with friends, going on walks, and watching movies.
Q: What is your major? Why did you choose it?
A: I’m majoring in Wildlife Enterprise Management. I’ve been lucky enough to travel, particularly to Africa, and I hope to use what I learn to one day manage wildlife-based lodging or tourism there.
Q: Do you have any gymnastics superstitions, and why?
A: I always have pasta the night before a meet. There’s not really a specific reason. I think it just started after I did well at a meet where I happened to have pasta for dinner the night before.
Q: If you could eliminate one event, which would you choose and why?
A: I would get rid of bars. That event is just the one event that gets me.
Q: What are you most looking forward to this season? What are some of your goals?
A: I’m most looking forward to competing with my team and representing Auburn this season. The energy and support here are incredible, and I can’t wait to be part of it! Of course, my goal is to compete but other than that, I am looking forward to helping the team where I can and growing as a person during my first year.
Q: What advice would you give younger students as they work hard to be collegiate gymnasts?
A: I’d tell younger gymnasts to trust the process, keep working hard, and never lose the love for the sport. It all pays off!
Q: What is your biggest gymnastics pet peeve? Why?
A: Definitely chalk under my fingernails. That feeling just makes my skin crawl.
Q: What was your dream job as a kid?
A: My dream job as a kid was to be a vet.
Q: If you could have one superpower, what would it be and why?
A: I’d choose teleportation because I could travel anywhere. I want without wasting time getting there.