Mikaylah Gardner is a junior on the Dowagiac competitive cheer team.

What has been one of your greatest accomplishments as an athlete?

MG: Learning the skills I need to be in all rounds in competition.

What has been one of your biggest disappointments as an athlete?

MG: Working really hard and still not placing in the top five.

Who is a “hero” in your life and why?

MG: My grandma Betty, because she always saw my full potential and she knew what I could one day be capable of and I strive to make her proud every day.

When are you the most nervous while you are competing?

MG: Messing up my routine or dropping a stunt.

Describe an embarrassing athletic moment.

MG: At our first competition, we weren’t prepared well and we went and just threw random stunts and we kind of walked around clapping the entire routine.

How do you tend to workout/train when by yourself?

MG: I run motion drills in the mirror and run rounds in my head.

What other sport would you like to compete in if you were not playing yours?

MG: I would be open to many sports. I may try tennis or possibly track.

Why are sports an important part of a high school experience?

MG: They teach you team work and dependability and you’ll always use those skills.

How would you give away $50,000?

MG: I would donate money to the cancer treatment centers and animal shelters.

If you could be the head coach of a team for a year, what team would you choose?

MG: I would love to coach any cheer team.

If I did not play sports, I would…?

MG: Go home every day and do nothing.

What is the most challenging thing for you to do in your sport?

MG: Hitting every single motion and having good vocals and hitting every single jump. it’s very tiring.

If you could change one rule about your sport, what would it be?

MG: The rule that says that says if there are less than eight girls in round 2 it’s a 10-point penalty

What is the best compliment you have ever received?

MG: Outside of my sport I’ve been told I’m a really good person and I’m a good friend.

What was the scariest thing you have had to do? Are you glad you did it?

MG: As cheesy as it sounds it has to be the first time I took the mat at competition, and I’m really happy I did it

What was the last thing you saw someone do that really impressed you?

MG: I saw someone buy someone else’s food at a restaurant just because they felt nice that day.

What is your favorite hobby? Why?

MG: I love listening to music, because it’s a really big stress reliever, and I just love music of all kinds.

Choose one word to describe yourself:

MG: Genuine.