Madeline Gardiner is a junior from Cambridge, Ontario and an outstanding leader for Oregon State. She will likely compete all-around this season for the Beavers, however, her standout event is beam. She became a three-time All-American in 2015 earning first team honors on beam after finishing third at NCAA event finals. Watch Gardiner and the Oregon State Beavers as they take on Bridgeport, Illinois State, and Wisconsin-Eau Claire at Lindenwood. Watch Live on FloGymnastics at 6pm CST.


FloGymnastics: Did you play any other sports growing up? 
Madeline Gardiner: Growing up my parents gave me the opportunity to participate in a variety of sports, I tried swimming, soccer, ballet, skating, and gymnastics, but I quickly realized I don’t have a high tolerance for cold, so skating and swimming were out of the question. I did soccer and ballet until about third grade then my focus became solely gymnastics.

What is your first memory of doing gymnastics?
My first memory of doing gymnastics is actually a story that I was told about when I was little. My dad used to let me sleep on the way to the gym, then carry me in and throw me into the foam pit to wake me up, where one of the coaches would come get me and I would proceed to run around the gym and hug people until I was told practice was starting. Other than that, I don’t really have a specific first memory since I’ve been doing gymnastics for as long as I can remember.

Do you know what you want to be when you grow up?
When I grow up I want to be a family physician!

What is your favorite subject in school?
My favourite subject in school is probably anything that has to do with Anatomy and Physiology. I recently took an Exercise Physiology class that I absolutely fell in love with.

What is your favorite event and why?
Beam would have to be my favourite event to train, but bars is my favourite event to compete because it feels like you’re flying when you do releases and dismounts.

What is your favorite ice cream flavor?
My favourite ice cream flavour is definitely Ben and Jerry’s Mint Chocolate Cookie!

How old were you when you started gymnastics and how did you get involved?
I started gymnastics when I was 3 years old, mostly because my parents wanted my brothers and I to have options in what sport we chose to pursue, and partially because I just had too much energy around the house.

Do you have a history of gymnasts in your family?
My mom did gymnastics at the provincial level (like state level I’d guess), but only for a few years.

What keeps you motivated in the gym?
One of the biggest motivators in the gym for me is my team mates. We all share a common goal, and the love for gymnastics, and we’re all there to get as much out of every day doing what we love. We share common struggles and trials, and knowing they’ve got your back like you’ve got theirs is what keeps me going. I couldn’t do it without them!

What is your perfect pizza?
My perfect pizza would have to be meat lovers!

If you could travel anywhere in the world where would it be?
If I could travel anywhere in the world, it would either have to be to Europe to explore France and Portugal, or to somewhere in Africa, because other than Antarctica it’s the only continent I haven’t gotten the chance to visit.

What is your favorite book?
I don’t think I could choose a favourite book! I love anything written by Nicholas Sparks (cheesy romance, sign me up), as well as The Time Travellers Wife.

Do you have a pet peeve?
Two of my biggest pet peeves would have to be people who don’t use their turn signals, as well as when people say “criss cross applesauce” instead of “cross-legged”. I really can’t tell you why that drives me crazy, but it has since I can remember.

What is one, single food that you would never give up?
One single food I could never give up is potatoes, and I think my room mates could vouch for that one! (Ask Silvia Colussi Pelaez or Shireen Khamedoost).

What is the last thing you bought?
The last thing I bought was lipstick!

What is the most played song on your phone/iPod?
The most played song on my iPod is My Wish by Rascal Flatts.

What would your DJ name be?
My DJ name would have to be MadDawg$ (Mad dog money-sign), which is actually a nickname a friend of mine gave me in high school.

What’s one food you just can’t stand?
One food I can’t stand is ketchup- I don’t like the smell of it, the texture, the feeling, nothing about it appeals to me. (Although I am a very picky eater in the fact that I don’t like many sauces or dressings at all).


Related:
Watch LIVE: Oregon St., Bridgeport, Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Illinois St. at Lindenwood