Local Gymnast Qualifies for Team Michigan

Photos provided by Danielle Hoard

Stockbridge eighth-grader Melanie Marshall qualified to be part of the Michigan Team USA squad that will compete at the Midwest Regional in Tallmadge Ohio May 5 against other gymnasts from Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, and Kentucky.

Marshall qualified for the team by finishing first overall in the Silver Division at the state meet in Mt Pleasant April 14. She finished with an overall score of 38.075 to take first. She was first in the balance beam and floor exercise, second in the vault, and eighth in the bars to claim the top spot.

Melanie has been cartwheeling and tumbling since she could walk. She has been in and out of gymnastics and dance classes since she was 7 years old but has only been doing competitive gymnastics through PAX gym in Chelsea for two years.

Her favorite event is the floor exercise because of her natural ability to tumble.

Marshall was asked about her future with SHS not having a gymnastics team.

“I will continue to compete and progress my skill level. My next skill level will be competing in the Gold Division. I also will be enrolling in College Gymnastics Camps to improve her skills. I hope to be able to qualify for a gymnastics scholarship at a university so she can one day open her own Gymnasium.”

Melanie’s parents are Danielle Hoard and Brandon Marshall.

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