Rockford-area gymnast Taylor DeVries has had a busy stretch.

She won her first state title in March. She signed a letter of intent to attend Oregon State University on a full scholarship, and she'll compete in the USA Gymnastics nationals later this month.

"There's been a lot going on. It's been a pretty stressful time, to be honest," said DeVries, who lives in Roscoe and is a senior at Rockford Christian High School. "But it's definitely a super exciting time. It's just one thing after another."

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The Oregon State gymnastics program was ranked 11th in the NCAA this past season, and DeVries was ranked ninth in the country in the all-around competition after last year's USA Gymnastics nationals. She hopes to be even higher this year.

"I can't wait to show everybody what I can do at the next level," DeVries said. "I want to step right in there and make an impact right away.

"Being part of a big-time college gymnastics program has always been a dream of mine, but it's going to be a lot of work, and I'm going to have to have a great work ethic to get it done."

DeVries started her gymnastics career at the age of 2. She started at the Gymnastics Academy of Rockford (GAR) and moved to Legacy Elite Gymnastics in Aurora when she was 11.

She trains about 20 hours a week. She's had hand surgery, broken her foot twice, sprained her ankle 17 times and broke her elbow.

"Even when I'm hurt," DeVries said. "I just can't wait to get back out there."

Among DeVries list of accomplishments: She's a five-time Level 10 national qualifier, 2023 state champion in the all-around and floor, 2023 Nastia Liukin Cup qualifier, 2022 regional champion and 2022 Region 5 all-star team member.

She hopes to be competing in the NCAA national championships the next four years. And, possibly, the Olympics after that.

"That's always been on the back of my mind, and you never know," DeVries said. "If I can go to college and just keep getting better and better, you never know."

Jay Taft is a Rockford Register Star sports reporter. Email him at jtaft@rrstar.com and follow him on Twitter at @JayTaft. Sign up for the Rockford High School newsletter at rrstar.com. Jay has covered a wide variety of sports, from the Chicago Bears to youth sports, since the turn of the century at the Register Star, and for over 30 years all together.

This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Rockford-area gymnast is heading to nationals for the fifth time