Maddie Pelfrey '23 Recruiting Profile

I started gymnastics at the age of three and competed with Davis Diamonds until the age of twelve where I went on to win the all-around for our gymnastics team. I was involved in many areas from swimming to soccer and piano lessons for nine years.  In the eighth grade I broke both the long and high jump school records and as the anchor of our 400-meter relay team we broke that school record also. I learned about myself at one event when I spiked myself on the high jump. I thought of stopping when I saw the wound but rinsed it with water, wrapped the area, and then went on to run the 4x100 with my team.  Disappointment came at one event during high jump when I reached my height and knocked the bar down. It meant a lot to me when a coach came up and said everyone knocks it down, you jump until you reach your limit, then you work hard and find a new and higher limit where you will knock that bar down also. Just keep moving up.

During the first week of High School at St. Francis I was approached by a friend from a competitive team and was asked if I wanted to join the pole vault team at the Carmichael Track and Field Club.  I had the confidence to try and after a few practices I shocked myself by clearing a height that surprised everyone including me. I will never forget that feeling clearing the bar and I wanted more. I then went on to break the St. Francis school record in pole vault this year. 

When I get to college, I want to continue growing in this sport and focus on my academics with a career in health and medicine. I know this field is very daunting but that is who I am and I’m up for the challenge. I’m learning that life is a journey with many twists and turns, and I have a huge personal responsibility in my success and growth and grateful to those who support me.  My energy level, focus and drive combined with my natural athletic ability have and will continue to open doors for me. Open doors where I will find satisfaction and success by being an asset to my team, my school, my employer, and my community.