Mara

What do they love most about playing their sport(s)?

She said it simply: she just loves the feeling she gets from doing gymnastics — she's happy when she does it. She likes getting stronger, getting better, and having a dream to chase. She loves the people around her too: her coaches and teammates, who are supportive. This sport doesn't start with medals — it starts with the good, the bad, and the challenge. You have to love all of that, because it takes countless hours in the gym to get better.

Who inspires them—on or off the field—and why?

"I don't want to be Simone Biles No. 2 — I want to be Mara No. 1." That's how Mara puts it. She's inspired by talented people who aren't afraid to dream big: Simone Biles, for turning setbacks into comebacks and redefining what's possible; Lainey Wilson, for her grit and refusal to be anything but herself; Taylor Swift, for dreaming bigger than anyone said she could and becoming a legend on her own terms. Watching people that talented and determined makes Mara dream even bigger.

What’s one moment in their athletic journey that makes you proudest?

She's already my Athlete of the Year. In just two years, she went from recreational gymnastics to winning State, Regional, and YMCA Nationals titles. Gymnastics was her choice from day one, and watching her thrive in one of the hardest sports makes us prouder every single day. It was her idea to participate in Youth Athlete of the Year — she wanted to get her gym and team a new floor.