Melissa Ainsley Pinckard – Driven / Teammate / Student Athlete

Favorite Even: Beam – “I love the beam. From my first meet when I was 6 years old where I fell off more than ten times to winning Regional Championships in Level 8, I am most happy on the beam. It requires patience and focus.”

Favorite Music: Classical interpretations and Disney. “I love the Piano Guys. I used their interpretation of Disney’s “The Jungle Book” for my floor routine because it was classic and beautiful. It was exactly what I want to display on the floor – classic, powerful and graceful.”

Favorite Struggle: Kip/Bars. “Bars have always been hard for me, but I love the challenge. And, I feel a great sense of accomplishment when I master each new progression. When I was seven, I thought I’d never get my kip. Once I got that, I knew I could accomplish anything!”

Favorite Non-Gymnastics Event: Golf. “I love the chance to get outdoors and spend time on the golf course. I’m just good enough to hit the ball and not lose all of them. It reminds me that I am not perfect, but with effort and focus I can succeed.”

Ainsley started gymnastics at the age of 2, when her parents enrolled her in a Mommy-and-Me class to help develop her motor skills. From day one, she was at-home in the gym. Born February 21, 2005, Ainsley is a member of the Class of 2023. Currently a student at St. Dominic Savio Catholic High School, Ainsley is a highly focused student succeeding in advanced placement classes. She is consistently a high performer in academics, earning placement in the school’s highest honor rankings. She scored in the top 90% on PSAT testing. In school, Ainsley is focused on language arts, history, social sciences, business and law. She strives to one day serve her community as a lawyer protecting civil liberties and the less fortunate. Outside of school and gymnastics, Ainsley likes to read, draw and play golf.

Ainsley trained at Capital Gymnastics in Cedar Park, TX for eight years, between 2012-2019. She competed level 4 in 2013, tested out of level 5, skipped level 6 and quickly moved up to level 7 for the 2015 season. That year, she qualified to the 2015 Level 7 Regionals. In 2016, Ainsley placed third in the all-around with a 38.675 and first on uneven bars and balance beam at the Level 7 State Championships. At the Region 3 Championships, she finished ninth in the all-around with a 38.125 and fifth on vault. Ainsley moved up to level 8 for the 2017 season. She placed sixth in the all-around with a 37.425 and fifth on balance beam at the State Championships. At the Region 3 Championships, Ainsley finished sixth in the all-around with a 37.675, first on balance beam and third on uneven bars.

Ainsley was unable to compete most of the 2018 season due to an illness. She came back as a second-year level 9 gymnast in 2019. She placed seventh in the all-around and fifth on floor exercise at the Region 3 Championships. She qualified to the Level 9 Western Nationals in Spokane, WA. Following her 2019 season, Ainsley moved to Crenshaw Athletic Club in Austin, TX. Ainsley qualified to the 2020 Level 10 State Championships but was unable to compete due to COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, Ainsley placed third on balance beam and eighth overall at the Level 10 State Championships. She qualified to the Region 3 Championships where she took home a bronze medal on balance beam.

As a student athlete, Ainsley believes that she is a better student because of her gymnastics and that she is a better gymnast because of her studies. She is looking forward to carrying her academics and gymnastics to college, where she will continue to thrive as a student, athlete and teammate.