My hips aren’t perfect right now, but that’s kind of the point.
This season, I’ve been working through injuries, figuring out how to take care of my body while still showing up for my team.
It’s not glamorous, but it’s real. And in a lot of ways, it sums up my journey—learning how to push forward, adjust, and still perform when things aren’t ideal.
Gymnastics has never been easy on my body. But I’ve never really wanted it to be. I’ve always believed in putting my head down and working, no matter what’s in front of me.
That mindset has carried me from a kid in Colorado to a captain and All-American at Oklahoma.
Built on Discipline
I started gymnastics when I was five years old at 5280 Gymnastics in Colorado. At first, it was just something my dad wanted for me and my brother after he had a serious diving injury. He wanted us to develop body awareness. But I fell in love with it almost immediately.
What I remember most from those early years isn’t the fun—it’s the conditioning.
Even as a little kid, it was intense. We were pushed to be sharp, disciplined, and technically sound from the beginning. Looking back, that foundation shaped everything.
I’ve always had the need to put my head down and work. That environment suited me. It still does.
By high school, my days were packed. Morning practice, school, afternoon practice, then coaching at night. It taught me time management and self-discipline in a way nothing else could. I had to figure out how to push myself without burning out. That balance became one of the most important skills I’ve ever developed.
And even now, the thing that keeps me coming back is simple: I love flipping through the air—that feeling when you complete a routine. It makes you feel really good.
That hasn’t changed.
An Unexpected Detour
My path to college gymnastics wasn’t straightforward. Honestly, it almost didn’t happen the way I thought it would.
Coming out of high school, I wasn’t a top recruit. I reached out to a lot of schools and didn’t hear much back. At one point, I thought I had found an opportunity that would lead me to a D1 program, but it turned out to be something completely different than what was promised. It wasn’t a real pathway to NCAA gymnastics.
That moment could have ended things for me.
Instead, I took control. I reached out again, explained my situation, and that’s when Oklahoma came back into the picture. They offered me a chance to walk on. No guarantees. But it was an opportunity.
When I arrived on campus, I had never even visited before. I remember driving in with my parents and thinking everything felt unfamiliar—almost unreal. But that feeling didn’t last long.
I’ve really enjoyed my time here and I really have no regrets. I can say that honestly now.
Earning My Place
Nothing was given to me when I got to Oklahoma. Every single day was a competition.
As a walk-on, you’re constantly trying to prove you belong. I remember one of the upperclassmen telling me to pick a spot in the high bar lineup and go take it. So I did. I worked for it every day.
It wasn’t easy. I realized pretty quickly that I was behind in some areas. But I also knew what I was capable of if I stayed consistent. That belief carried me through.
One of my proudest moments wasn’t an award—it was making the team. After a full semester of grinding, hearing my name called and knowing I’d earned a spot meant everything.
From there, things started to build. Conference championships. All-American honors on high bar. And eventually, being named a team captain.
To me, that progression proves something I truly believe: If you can go out there and give it your best every day, you will see results.
And even if you don’t get exactly what you want, you’ll know you gave everything you had.
Leading and Letting Go
Being a captain has challenged me in new ways. I’ve always been more of a lead-by-example person, not the loudest voice in the room. But this role has pushed me to grow.
Leadership is more than holding people accountable. It’s about understanding them. Everyone on the team is going through something, and being someone they can talk to matters just as much as anything we do in the gym.
It’s an honor to be part of Oklahoma’s legacy. There’s so much history here, and to add my own chapter to it means a lot. At the same time, I know this chapter of my life is coming to a close.
After the season, I’ll be having surgery on both of my hips. And while gymnastics has given me everything, I’m ready for what’s next. I think it’s time for me to start a new chapter.
That next chapter includes working in finance as a mortgage broker with my dad, and eventually pursuing something I’ve been thinking about for a long time: becoming a pilot.
It’s a dream I’ve had for a long time, and I’m ready to take the steps necessary to make it a reality.
Looking back, I’m just grateful. For my coaches, my teammates, and especially my family. They’ve never given up on me. That’s what made all of this possible.
And as I move forward, that’s what I’ll carry with me.
Now, it’s time for me to take flight.
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