Avondale gymnast earns place on All-State team

Avondale High School gymnast, Marie Clark placed in the top ten for floor exercise at the MHSAA State Gymnastics Competition in Rockford, Michigan. During the meet, Clark, also received the Sportsmanship Award and because of her 3.94 GPA was named All-Scholar All-State.

The Sportsmanship Award is a distinction that her coach, Meagan Ruthhart says Clark deserves because of her leadership in representing the Varsity gymnastics team. “There was no doubt in our minds that this would go to Marie. She is a great leader and has great respect for others. Bright, positive, encouraging, supportive and caring of her teammates and her opponents alike, Marie is the epitome of what a captain, teammate and student athlete should be.”

“I’m proud to receive the Sportsmanship Award,” said Clark who is unassuming and modest about her recent recognitions. “I know that the award goes to someone the coaches think is a good leader but the truth is that I am only following the example they’ve set for us. Both Coach Ruthhart and Coach Moskal are constantly encouraging us and inspiring us. They helped me figure out how to balance my classes with my involvement in athletics and school clubs so that I wouldn’t get overwhelmed.”

Clark, who resides in Troy with her parents Mark and Teresa, also played volleyball and ran track as a 9th and 10th grader and is on a competitive dance team. She is involved in Avondale Theatre, GO Club and is a gymnastics coach at an area training center – all while taking Advanced Placement classes and maintaining a 3.94 GPA. “You really have to prioritize and decide what things are important to you and maybe not do everything,” she said. “It’s OK if you don’t play every sport or join every club – join the groups that are doing the things you love – that helps you stay focused and balanced.”

With gymnastics season behind her, Clark is already looking toward the fall and attending Michigan State University where she was accepted into Honors College. Her mother is confident that Clark will meet the challenges of the more rigorous college life. “She is hardworking and resilient even though things have not always come easily for her. She has a strong work ethic that helps her overcome obstacles that might be in her way. Once at a regional meet, Marie fell off the balance beam three times but she finished her routine anyway - displaying so much grace and determination. Her performance that day validated for me that she is going to do very well in everything she tries.”

At Michigan State University, Clark plans to study bio-systems engineering and is looking at a career in sustainable agricultural. It’s important to her to do something that will have a positive and lasting impact on our world. According to her mom and her coaches though, she already has.

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