Surrounded by friends, family and faculty, Bainbridge High School senior McKenzie Findley signed a scholarship to attend Converse College and compete as a member of the acrobatics and tumbling team Wednesday morning.

Findley always wanted to compete in collegiate athletics, even when she was a little girl. When she received an email from Head Coach Keegan Johnson, she decided to tour Converse’s campus in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

During her campus visit, Findley said she felt very at home and like this was a place she could spend her next four years.

Findley knew it was a perfect fit when she met the team.

“They were so welcoming and seemed like they would be there for me no matter what,” Findley said. “They seemed like they really valued my academic future along with my athletic future.”

Findley is most excited about doing something a little different. Although gymnastics and acrobatics/tumbling are similar, she said they are also different in a lot of ways. She is ready to be a part of a team and experience college as an athlete.

Findley’s current Moultrie YMCA gymnastics coach, Bob Swadel, believes she will have great success in the athletic program. Findley is also a member of the BHS gymnastics team.

“She’s going to be a leader and one that the coaches fall in love with,” Swadel said.

Findley’s parents, Jeff and Stephanie are also excited to see where the program takes her and the opportunities she will have available to her.

Findley will join the team in the fall of 2018 with a fellow Moultrie YMCA gymnast, Jordan Yates.