Freshman Feature: Meixi Semple

AMES, Iowa – One word Meixi Semple used to describe her journey to Iowa State was "lucky." The Whitby, Ontartio native has been riddled with injuries during her gymnastics career, entering the recruiting process later towards the end of her high school tenure.

"I reached out to them [Iowa State]," Semple recalled. "This happened very late, during Grade 12, and I was also hurt so there wasn't a lot of videos I could send out. I emailed Iowa State and I got a reply.

"I love them [Iowa State coaching staff]," Semple continued. "They are really supportive, and are interested in your life outside of the gym. They ask simple questions, and I really enjoy that."

Before joining the Iowa State gymnastics team, Semple started gymnastics when she was just 3-years old. Further into her club gymnastics career she got a bump to the novice level where she was crowned novice champion at nationals which jump-started her national team career.

Semple is joined by a plethora of other Iowa State gymnasts that have competed for their home countries. Even though Semple was a member of her national team, her upper body injuries held her back from competition which helped propel her efforts on the balance beam.

"I injured my elbows and my shoulder, basically my upper body, I couldn't do bars or even put my hands down, so I was forced to do beam," Semple reflected. "I did beam a lot and just got better. When I was younger, I was really bad, but I liked it and it's grown on me."

Semple said she has made big adjustments to coming to the United States from Canada. She said that not living with your parents, living with someone else and doing most things individually and through her own initiative have been the biggest adjustments to starting school in Ames. Semple also stated that Whitby, Ontario and Ames, Iowa are vastly different places.

"Whitby is a bigger town and Ames feels really small to me," Semple noted. "It's just because I live near Toronto which is a huge city. When I came to Ames, I thought it was very small, but I like it here."

When talking about the upcoming season, Semple said she is looking forward to competing at Iowa State. She also expressed her gratitude that she landed as a Cyclone.

"I just got really lucky," she concluded. "I was so late to the game and applying to everything. I was so late that I am just super thankful I'm here."

Iowa State University Athletics

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