Student Athlete of the Week: Maeve Flentie

From the moment she joined the Niwot High School gymnastics program as a freshman, Head Coach Marisa Purcell knew there was something special about Maeve Flentie.

"You'll find there's always that one freshman that kind of comes in," Purcell said. "She (Flentie) came in and just gets stronger and better every year, and she's a multi-sport athlete for her school."

Flentie, a senior who attends Erie High School, dives and runs track for the Tigers, but gymnastics has been her primary passion since she first took up the sport 10 years ago. While gymnastics is largely individual, the team aspect of uplifting others brings Flentie the most joy.

"Being on the team for four years, I know how it feels to have people cheering for you," Flentie said. "It makes me feel happy when I know other people know I'm cheering for them. I love the energy."

Part of Flentie's team-first mindset stems from the fact she hasn't forgotten about her early struggles as a high school gymnast. Flentie hopes to continue growing relationships with her younger teammates before her Cougar career concludes.

"I definitely click a lot with the younger girls because I know how it feels coming in as a freshman, being new to the team and kind of not knowing what's going on," Flentie said. "Everyone is really social and really fun to hang out with."

Purcell has also recognized Flentie's willingness to make everyone feel included, no matter their grade or experience.

"Maeve brings a lot to our program," Purcell said. "When she cheers everyone on, she makes everyone feel like a part of the team. On top of that, obviously, her skill level and being able to be varsity four years in a row and be a part of the team and the state team at the end shows a lot for itself."

As Purcell noted, Flentie brings far more to the Cougars than just team spirit. At last year's Class 4A state championships, for example, she placed top-10 in beam and bars. Flentie also took eighth in the all-around competition as a sophomore in 2022.

Unfortunately for Flentie, she suffered a calf injury earlier this year that forced her to miss Niwot's first meet on Sept. 4.

"I think it was killing her to not compete," Purcell said. "It's hard to not be out there, but we really saw her be a leader and cheer her teammates on and be there and keep working and get back to where she could compete at bars."

Flentie returned for the Cougars' second meet on Sept. 11 before competing in three events during a three-team meet at Loveland High School on Sept. 18. There, she placed second in bars with a score of 9.15.

Although her senior season hasn't exactly gone smoothly thus far due to her injury, Flentie remains focused on building toward the state championships.

"I'm hoping to place well at state, and I'm really just hoping that our team places well and that we do the best that we can do," Flentie said.