Beaming with pride

Seven-year-old Maddie Losee doesn’t want to be average. 

Standing in the corner of the blue spring floor at Lakewood Ranch Gymnastics with her ankles pressed firmly together, the Level 7 gymnast waited for the opening beat of her floor routine in a recent practice session. 

When the routine began, the McNeal Elementary School second-grader bounded across the floor with the strength of an athlete twice her size, her brown ponytail bouncing from side to side and her brown eyes lighting up with enthusiasm.

Nothing was average about her performance. Losee can do things that very few people her age can do. 

With each roundoff back handspring, jump, spin and twist, Losee showed she won't settle for anything less than perfection.

“I want to be an elite athlete,” she said as she turned toward 10-year-old Kelsey Lee. “I want to do more than just what a normal person would do.” 

Losee eats, sleeps and breathes gymnastics, making up balance beam routines inside her Lakewood Ranch home and watching YouTube videos about gymnastics stars. 

"She spends more time upside down than right side up," said Losee's mother, Amy Losee. "The best part is watching her do what she loves. We are enjoying the journey right along side of her and can't wait to see what's in store for her." 

For Losee, hard work and dedication have become a way of life. In the classroom, Losee holds herself to the same high standards as in the gym. While she can be hard on herself at times, Losee is mature for her age, accomplishing every goal she sets. 

"Maddie is one of the most hardworking, focused students I have ever met," said Stacy Freeman, Losee's second-grade teacher. "With Maddie, the sky is the limit. I truly believe she can do anything she puts her mind to." 

Lee, a Level 9 gymnast who is home schooled and travels 45 minutes back and forth from Lithia six days a week, to train in Lakewood Ranch, is Losee’s training partner and a person she admires. 

“She’s a really good elite athlete right now, and I want to be able to do what she does,” Losee said of Lee. 

Losee and Lee started gymnastics when they were 4 and 5 years old, respectively, and immediately fell in love with the sport. 

“It’s my passion,” Lee said. “I’m just so blessed to have this talent that God gave me. I love how I could be free and just do what I love.” 

The two young gymnasts both quickly rose to prominence transitioning from recreational gymnastics to competitive status. 

Over the past year, Losee jumped from Level 4 to Level 7 while Lee moved from Level 7 to Level 9. 

Losee and Lee have the drive and determination necessary. The two girls, who spend a combined 39 hours a week in the gym training, undoubtedly have moments of frustration and fatigue. 

They have proven they have the mental toughness to continue.

“I love it so much that I never get tired of it,” Losee said. 

“It’s all about keeping them happy and healthy,” Lakewood Ranch Gymnastics co-owner and coach Laura Parraga said. “If you do that, then they’ll last.” 

Losee and Lee are both a part of the Talent Opportunity Program, which is a talent search and education program for female gymnasts, ages 7-10.

After participating in a series of physical abilities tests, Losee was named to the TOPS Diamond Team, recognizing her as one of the top 50 7-year-old gymnasts in the country. 

“I’m really happy because I never knew I could do something that amazing,” Losee said.

Losee completed the TOPs test as a 6-year-old to practice and prepare her for this year’s test, which included testing flexibility and strength elements, such as holding a one-minute handstand, climbing a rope and kicks, among other skills. 

“TOPs is really about having the total package,” Parraga said. “You have to be strong, flexible and have the right mindset, which is huge. It’s hard to imagine for someone so young, but you have to have the mental capacity because the conditioning is hardcore.” 

Losee will close out this year’s competition season at the Florida Level 7 State Championships April 1 through April 3, in Coral Springs, before spending the summer learning new skills in the hopes of making a national developmental team camp. 

"Maddie has grown not only physically, but more importantly, mentally," Amy Losee said. "She is learning countless life lessons, and it's really neat to watch her grow and mature in the sport." 

Based on her TOPs test, Lee was named to the TOPS A National Team and invited to participate in a developmental camp in late February, at the USA Gymnastics National Team Training Center, in Huntsville, Texas. 

Under the watchful eye of Valeri Liukin, the father of 2008 Olympic champion Nastia Liukin, Lee completed another physical abilities test, finishing second out of the 57 girls in attendance. 

“It’s cool knowing that I was able to swing on the same bars and tumble on the same floor as the Olympians,” Lee said. “It’s so special. I’m so honored that my name is out there and I get to do this wonderful sport that I love so much.” 

Following her training session at the National Team Training Center, Lee competed in the KPAC Cup National Qualifier March 10 and March 11, in Charlotte, N.C. 

Lee was one of only 14 girls to qualify for the 10-and 11-year-old Hopes Classic May 13 and May 14, which is a national qualifier and the next step in her journey to earning elite status, after posting a compulsory score of 35.95 and an exceptional score of 49.9. 

“Kelsey is known for her beautiful lines and great artistry,” Parraga said. “We knew she would do really well, but she just blew it out of the water.”

Most recently, Lee returned home to compete in the Florida Level 9 State Championship March 18 through March 20, in Fort Myers. Lee hit all four of her routines, posting a 37.775 to win the all-around title.

At the Hopes Classic, Lee has aspirations of qualifying for the Secret U.S. Classic/Hopes Championships June 3 through June 5, in Hartford, Conn., which will feature 2016 Olympic hopefuls Gabby Douglas and Simone Biles, among others. 

“We have a lot of hope for her,” Parraga said. “She’s far exceeded our expectations. She has a passion for the sport and a lot of self-confidence. Those are two things you can’t teach. She’s just thirsty and a joy to coach.

“Maddie is following in her footsteps,” Parraga said. “Both girls are very talented and it just shows that anything is really possible if a child believes in herself.”