ELNORA —
Boys basketball fans at North Daviess may not have known how great the halftime shows at Cougar basketball really were.
When things got quiet, just for a moment, a freshman would come out of the crowd and begin somersaults that didn’t end until each end of the baseline had been covered.
That freshman is now sophomore Christina Webster who just happens to be a world-class trampoline gymnist.
Webster, who is better known as Madi, recently returned from Loule, Portugal, where she won the Souble Mini-trampoline in the junior division. She was also a member of the national Mini-double trampoline team that placed second.
That is quite an accomplishment, but Madi has been at this for some time. She’s traveled across the world to compete, and has more traveling on her mind.
She would like to become a member of the United States trampoline team in an Olympics. But she will have to wait a year or two for that. Competitors must be at least 18 to compete.
That means she would have to wait for the next games in Riodejaniero, Brazil, in 2016.
Gettin started at seven wasn’t hard. Give an assist to mom for that.
“Mom thought I had way too much energy, so she signed me up,” Webster said. “The teacher said I was getting really good, so she signed me up to compete.”
Webster liked being on a trampoline from the beginning.
“I really enjoy jumping high in the air,” Webster said.
While the travel has been fun, the weeks in foreign countries can be difficult.
“They tend to be long,” Webster said. “But there are really fun overall. We usually take a day for sightseeing. One of the big cathedrals in Russia ( a 2011 competition) was probably my favorite.”
Decker was joined at national competittions by other gymnasts from Tumbling Express in Washington.
Webster joined Hally Piontek of Kansas City, Mo., to place third in Jr. Elite Synchronized trampoline.
Brooklyn Black, Monroe City, placed second in Level 7 trampoline and Level 7 double-mini trampoline; Abby Ballengee, Montgomery, placed third in Level 5 tumbling; Anna Ballengee, Montgomery, placed fifth in Level 7 trampoline; and Kristen LaFollette, Washington, competed in Level 9 trampoline.
“Sometimes competiting is an adrenaline rush,” Webster said. “I think the traveling and meeting new people is one of the things I like best competiting. I still get the same amount of nerves whether its a smaller meet or a big meet.”
With a world of competition behind her Webster has a goal for next season.
“The World Age Group Games next November in Bulgaria,” Webster said.
“Maddie inspires our little ones,” Tumbling Express owner Christine LaFollette said. “She’s fun to be around and works hard.”
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Related Photos
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At left, North Daviess sophomore Madi Webster (center) stands on the podium following her Junior Division win in Double-Mini Trampoline at the Loule Cup Competition.
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Abby Ballengee with her national medal.
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Anna Ballengee (left) and Brooklyn Black with national medals.
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