McKenna Appleton

Position:
UB, BB
Height:
5-3
Class:
Sophomore
Hometown:
Great Falls, Va.
High School:
Langley

2019-20 (Freshman): Did not compete during the 2020 season • Season canceled after 10 meets due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Prep: Trained at Hill’s Gymnastics under the tutelage of Kelli Hill and Cynthia Smaha • Graduated from Langley High School in McLean, Virginia in December 2018 • Competed as an USA Gymnastics elite athlete while she was a 7th and 8th grade student • 2017 Junior Olympic National Championships qualifier.

Personal: Full name is McKenna Cassese Appleton • Born on Oct. 31, 2000 to Michael and Jennifer Appleton • Received the Support Our Saxons Award • Dad, Michael, played college baseball at the citadel • Cousin, Pete Munro, was a pitcher for the Blue Jays and the Astros in the MLB.

Getting to know McKenna:

Major: Undecided

Nickname: Kenny

Career Plans: Undecided

What is the best thing about being at UNC? The sense of family and the traditions

Away from gymnastics and my academic pursuits, I like to spend time… singing

My greatest strength as a gymnast is… my work ethic

Biggest sports thrill and why? When UNC beat Duke Football and got the bell back because it made me proud to be a Tar Heel

Person who had the greatest influence on your career and why: My dad because he was always my biggest motivator

Favorite Book: Hunger Games

Favorite Food: Italian

Funny or interesting fact about yourself: I’m right and left handed

Favorite class at UNC and why: My music class because it’s what I’m passionate about.

At what age did you first start participating in gymnastics and what is your earliest memory of gymnastics? Age 3 – I remember playing with balloons in my mommy and me class

The funniest nickname on the team belongs to: Sophie’s nickname Toastie because Drew started calling her that for absolutely no reason and it stuck

What song would you sing if you were on The Voice? Turning Tables by Adele

What reality show would you most like to be on? The Voice

My favorite guilty pleasure is: Candy

If I could go to dinner with one famous person it would be: Hannah Montana

The most interesting person I’ve met at UNC is: Cricket Lane

People say I look like… Jade from Victorious

Favorite place to visit: home