Freshman Feature: Ariana Orrego

AMES, Iowa - When asked about the greatest accomplishments of her career, Ariana Orrego mentioned two things. The first one is obvious, getting to represent her native Peru at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janiero, Brazil.

The next accomplishment of her career will be realized in the coming months when she makes her debut for the Iowa State gymnastics team. This has been a journey that has taken her all across the Western Hemisphere, but has now given her a new home.

"When I visited Iowa State, I just liked everything about it," Orrego said. "The team, the coaches and the program."

Her road to becoming a Cyclone and Peru's first Olympic gymnast began in her native country at age five.

"My parents got me involved with the sport," Orrego noted. "Every since I was little they wanted me to play a sport because they didn't want me to stay at home and do nothing. They wanted me to try different sports, and the one I liked the most was gymnastics."

The challenges of gymnastics bring her back to this day.

"It's a sport where you can learn things every single day, such as new skills," Orrego observed. "It's also really fun to do."

Her next step in her career came with a move to the United States.

"I lived in Peru until I was 15 and then I moved to Virginia where I met my coaches," Orrego explained. "I lived with a host family, and I was training more than six hours everyday. I started doing home schooling and just starting focusing on gymnastics."

She competed for Excalibur Gymnastics under Gustavo Moure and Dena Walker in Virginia Beach. Orrego got eight Virginia State Championship titles and competed at the Region 7 Championships placing 1st on beam, 2nd all-around, 3rd on floor, vault and bars.

Orrego didn't know if she wanted to compete in college, but when she got in contact with Iowa State and took her official visit she fell in love with the school.

She considers landing at Iowa State one of her biggest achievements, and is looking forward to the upcoming year.

Orrego and the Cyclones will open the season in January 6 at Arizona State.