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Our next 20 Questions Athletes returned from a 2017 season ending injury with determination and grit to become the 2018 Level 9 State & Regional All-Around Champion en route to qualifying to the 2018 Level 9 Eastern National Championships. In 2019 Maddy, competed in her first season as a Level 10 qualifying to her first JO National Championships as part of the Junior E Dream Team. Maddy, who just finished up her Sophomore year in High School, has a few more years with us here in Region 5 before she heads off to college. I have a feeling that we will be seeing Maddy in a JO Nationals Leotard again before she graduates in 2021. Now that season has come to an end and summer training is beginning let’s get to know Maddy a little better as she heads into the season of drills, skills and upgrades.
How did you get into gymnastics? How old were you? I started gymnastics
at the age of 6. I always had a lot of energy and liked to climb on everything and do cartwheels. As a Christmas present, my Aunt Heather gave me a coupon for beginner tumbling class. I fell in love with gymnastics and have been doing it ever since.
What is your favorite event? My favorite event to train is Bars because it is always a challenge and you have to be focused all the time. My favorite event to compete is floor because I love dancing and tumbling and love to do my routine.
Favorite Skill to train/compete: My favorite skill to compete is my Ray on bars. It is the closest thing I will ever do to flying on my own.
Dream Skill? I will hopefully be connecting my Ray into my Shoot-Over soon.
What is your favorite part of gymnastics? My favorite part of gymnastics is always knowing that I will have something to work on everyday and will never get bored at practice. The amount of time we put in the gym every week can be demanding and time consuming, but I look forward to every practice because I love perfecting my skills and doing upgrades.
What college do you plan on attending? Since I am a first year Level 10, I am not yet committed to a college.My goal has always been to attend a Division 1 university and further my education, while also continuing my gymnastics career.
What is your favorite meet to compete at? Why? I love to compete at any 
meet that is close enough to home, so my extended family can come watch me. My family relocated from Kentucky so I could train at Perfection. Most of my extended family is still in Louisville, so anytime I compete in Cincy or Indy there will be a big group. I am sure there will be a big turnout for JO Nationals in Indy in May.
Biggest accomplishment in gymnastics so far? My biggest accomplishment is qualifying to JO Nationals as a first year Level 10.
What is your favorite Region 5 Insider Feature or Series? I love the “Eye on 5” videos and the “OMG” fail videos. I love watching them and hope to be featured in one of the “OMG” videos some day!
What is your go to playlist or song before meets?My favorite music to listen to before a meet is songs from my hype playlist. The music helps clear my mind and allows me to start focusing on what I need to do. It definitely takes my stress level down before a meet. My current playlist is mostly songs by Post Malone.
3 Things you could not live without? In no particular order… I could not live without my phone, my family, or ice cream. (I have made a lot of fond memories with Graeter’s Black Raspberry Chocolate Chip.)
If you could be any animal, what animal would you be and why?I would 
be an elephant because they are my favorite animal. They are strong and powerful, but are also very loving and caring.
5 Most Important or Must have Items in your gym bag? My grips, tiger paws, pre-wrap, tape and airpods.
Do you have any pre-meet rituals or superstitions? I always eat Chick-fil-A before a meet…except of course on Sundays. If I compete on a Sunday we have to improvise.
What do you like to do outside of Gymnastics? I love hanging out with friends and watching movies. I also enjoy singing and dancing.
Most embarrassing meet moment or gymnastics moment? I don’t really have any embarrassing moments… yet! I am sure they will come at some point.
If you weren’t a gymnast, what sport would you do or try? If I were not a gymnast I would probably be a diver or a cheerleader. I would be able to use all of the skills I have already learned in gymnastics and probably have a whole lot more free time! Just kidding cheer and dive friends!
Which athletes (any sport) do you respect the most and why? I have 
always admired Aly Raisman. She is an amazing athlete and role model. Aly represents what a strong woman can do and how one person can inspire and affect so many people.
What part of JO Nationals are you most looking forward to? I am looking forward to rooming with my new teammates and getting to know everyone on Junior-E. I am also looking forward to competing for the best region in the country. #r5champs2019
Most Memorable Gymnastics or JO Nationals Moment? My most memorable gymnastics moment is winning Level 9 State and Regional all-around titles in 2018. I had come off of a season ending injury in 2017 and was determined to get back to where I had previously been. It was a lot of hard work, but I feel like I accomplished what I hoped to do a season earlier. This sport really takes a lot of patience sometimes.
What is the most valuable piece of advice or wisdom your coach has given you? Enrique (E.T.) has given me a lot of valuable advice. He has taught me that gymnastics is more than a sport. It teaches you lifelong lessons and gives you lifelong opportunities. All of the struggles that we go through help build our character and help us become better people. I am very thankful and fortunate to have such great coaches at PGS! #weareperfection
Bonus Question: Tell me something interesting about yourself…. I love to sing and do theatre. In middle school I actually won two talent shows and got to participate in two different high school theatre productions. I played a “Munchkin” in The Wizard of OZ and also played “little Cosette” in a production of Les Miserables. If I had more available time away from gymnastics, I would definitely be doing more theatre.
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