WOODBURY — Mounting the balance beam, Maryn Heinrich pulls herself up to her full height. Exuding poise and confidence, she performs skill after skill flawlessly, letting the movements flow through her body as the audience watches in awe.

The stability and skill needed to perform on beam provides the foundation for the perfect metaphor for Heinrich’s life; her balance of sports and academics is admirable as Heinrich walks the balance beam with confidence and aplomb.

As a Nonnewaug freshman, Heinrich has used her life in gymnastics as a conduit for her own personal successes, but it’s also been a constant throughout her life, a support system.

“I’ve been doing gymnastics for 10 years now,” says Heinrich. “Every time I get on that beam, or start running for a vault, everything else just fades away.”

Heinrich’s success doesn’t simply end with gymnastics. For those who know her well, peers and teachers alike, she strives to master everything she does.

“Maryn is very competitive to the point of perfectionism,” said Heinrich’s best friend and fellow NHS freshman Anna Walkup. “She excels in her academics, her athletics, and her relationships.”

Not only are Heinrich’s peers aware of the balance she has struck, but so are her teachers.

“Maryn juggles, gymnastics, her grades, and her select extracurriculars very well,” said NHS science instructor Joshua Kornblut, who has not only known Heinrich as a high school student but also as an eighth-grader at Woodbury Middle School. “She’s a dedicated student, and just by her work in the classroom, I can tell that she’s a dedicated athlete.”

For other instructors like Toby Denman, Heinrich brings multiple attributes to the classroom beyond just her tireless work ethic. 

“Maryn’s a hard worker, and she’s curious about how things work,” said Denman. “She’s also really personable and fun to have in class.”

While her dedication is evident now, Heinrich’s passion for gymnastics began much earlier.

“I started gymnastics when I was 4 years old,” she said, though initially gymnastics was an outlet for Heinrich’s childhood energy. “Initially my mom signed me up [for gymnastics] because I was climbing all over the house and she didn’t want me to break anything.”

From there, a love affair with gymnastics began, and success soon followed. 

“I can’t really remember a time when gymnastics wasn’t in my life,” she said. “It’s always been my sport, and I’ve always loved it.”

While Heinrich’s relationship with her sport is an intimate one, the people around see her passion shining through every day.

“I even remember from when I was younger Maryn running and jumping on things constantly or flipping around and climbing,” said Ethan Heinrich, an NHS senior and Maryn’s older brother.

As the years passed by, Maryn had grown more and more successful in her gymnastics career.

Her rigorous training and constant practice schedule has transformed Heinrich into one of our community’s top gymnastics, though this commitment sometimes proves difficult for her friends.

“She trains nearly every day,” said Heinrich’s longtime friend, fellow NHS freshman Lila Farrelly. “I can barely ever hang out with her because she is so busy.”

Like Farrelly, many of Heinrich’s friends have experienced this particular dilemma: Heinrich’s commitment sometimes means sacrifice. 

“Maryn’s always at some sort of practice, whether it be optional training, a meet, or working out,” said Walkup. “At certain times of the year our schedules never align, so we barely see each other.”

“She just works so hard every day,” said fellow freshman Jillian Bushka, “and it shows.”

While it may be hard to get ahold of Heinrich, she has, yet again, struck balance within her life.

“The times that we do spend together are quality ones,” said Walkup. “Whenever I get a chance to hang out with Maryn, I jump on it.”

While Heinrich’s busy schedule might prove challenging for her friends, it has certainly paid off.

“I won second overall in the Rhode Island invitational,” Heinrich said reflecting back on the many accolades she’s won as a gymnast. “I got second on beam and second overall.”

If success could ever be something that’s visible, Heinrich has achieved it. 

“You can tell just by looking at her,” Kornblut said, “she’s a devoted athlete and a great student.”

From pre-K to freshman year, Maryn Heinrich has devoted her life to gymnastics. Persisting through the highs and lows, her longtime relationship with the sport will continue to evolve, and flourish. 

“Gymnastics is my passion,” Heinrich said. “I’ll continue to do it for as long as my body can handle.”