Senior Maegan Higdon has officially accepted a full-ride athletic scholarship to the University of Pittsburgh for gymnastics.

Higdon, who suffered an 8-month long period of injury after hurting her shoulder, could not believe that she had been chosen for the scholarship.

“I was surprised and shocked,” Higdon said. “I had been out so long for the injury that I hadn’t been expecting anything.”

Though other schools, including Southeastern Missouri University and the University of Denver, had scouted her, Higdon chose Pittsburgh.

“I really like the school,” Higdon said. “The campus is beautiful. There are lot of hills and mountains, and because Pittsburgh is known as the city of bridges, there are plenty of unique bridges around the city.”

After accepting the scholarship, Higdon went on her official visit to Pittsburgh.

“On my official visit I went to a football game with the [gymnastics] coaches and the girls that are [going to be in] the program with me,” Higdon said. “My favorite part of the whole trip was getting to hang out in the dorms and getting to know the girls.”

The scholarship recipient, who devotes 25-30 hours a week to training with Coach Debbie Kaitschuck at Stars Gymnastics in Houston, has been in gymnastics since the age of six and says the sport has helped to shape her life.

“The best gymnastics advice I’ve ever been given is to always work your hardest and try your best, and I really apply working my hardest to school,” Higdon said. “Gymnastics [teaches a lot about] leadership, and I feel like that helps in school [too]. I’m in the National Honor Society, and we do a lot of service projects. Recently I worked at Fish Camp, where I was a mentor for the incoming freshman. I’m also a PAL, so I feel like I do a lot of leadership [activities].”

Higdon says she is happy with her scholarship, but is looking forward to this season before beginning the life of a college athlete.

“Now that I’ve recovered, I’m ready for this season. My goal for this year is to make it to nationals and place in the top five,” Higdon said. “And next year I can’t wait to be with all of the girls [at school].”

In the future, Higdon would like to become a sports physical therapist.

“I want to help athletes overcome their injuries,” Higdon said. “Last year I went through physical therapy [for my shoulder injury] and I really saw myself in the career. I would like to do any sport, but I would love the opportunity to help recovering gymnasts.”