Published March 13, 2020
By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSE—For four years, she has been Melrose High’s standout all-around gymnast, and now Katie Wright is reaching the pinnacle of her high school gymnastics career by competing in the 2020 NHSGA National Senior Showcase Invitational held in Fort Meyers on May 15.
Wright, daughter of Christian and Kathy Wright of Melrose, is only one of 20 Massachusetts high school seniors chosen to represent the state at the National event.
The senior captain and multi league All-Star finished her local high school season with a solid performance at the MIAA North Sectionals on Feb. 22 with a 7th place finish. Wright has been a mainstay on the Melrose team since her freshman year, having gotten her start in gymnastics at age three. She was awarded All-Scholastic honors during her sophomore season. Wright also plays varsity soccer, which limits her gymnastics training to three months a year, but it hasn’t had an effect on her abilities. Her season-high scores include both 9.4 and 9.5s in beam and in her show-stopping floor routine.
As she prepares for graduation, Wright reflects on her four-year journey. As a freshman standout, she was immediately thrown into the mix with the best with an appearance at the state individual meet. “I found out I qualified for the all-around but I had no idea what to expect,” she says. “When I got there, I was so intimidated because some of the girls were the best gymnasts I’d ever seen. But it was also extremely flattering to have qualified along with those girls.”
Soon, Wright proved a permanent fixture there ,as she developed into the leader of coach Denise Valdez’s winning program, helping Melrose reach a postseason in all her years of high school. Now, she moves on a National appearance. It’s a feat she is excited and grateful for.
“I’d like to thank my family for being so supportive all the time. As well as my high school coaches Denise Valdez and Dave Montani and my YMCA coaches. Also the Reading Gymnastics Academy for allowing me to train at their gym in preparation for the National meet.”
Wright will attend the University of New Hampshire next year.