From Mexico to Alaska, a Gymnast’s Journey of Resilience
by sdmn
From Mexico to Alaska, María José Prieto’s journey in gymnastics is one of resilience, passion, and pride.
When María José Prieto was a little girl in Mexico, her love for gymnastics began not in a gym but with a cartwheel. “I saw a girl doing them at school and begged her to teach me,” she recalls. “They seemed like the coolest thing in the universe.” Soon she was flipping around her house and breaking lamps until her mother, exasperated, took her to a gym. “From the first day I walked in, I said: ‘This is where I belong.’ I fell completely in love.”
That passion carried her thousands of miles north to the University of Alaska Anchorage, where she now competes for the Seawolves gymnastics team. “In Mexico, it’s hard to combine sports and education,” she says. “Usually, you must choose one. I wasn’t ready to give up gymnastics.” After a gap year and several rejections, she took one last chance and applied to UAA. “Thank God, the coaches accepted me, offered me a scholarship, and gave me the chance to come here.”
Her career has been marked by both triumphs and challenges. A national champion on floor and vault, she also came close to qualifying for the Pan American Games. But injuries have tested her resilience: a knee surgery, a dislocated shoulder, and many setbacks. “As an athlete, you don’t just fall physically; you fall mentally too,” she reflects. “Gymnastics is about chasing perfection while people judge every move. You must learn to be kind to yourself.”
Adjusting to life in Alaska was no small task. “I had to get used to the cold, a new language, and a different kind of training,” she says. But she found warmth in her teammates and community. “Here, if one of us falls, the team is still there. It’s about supporting each other.” “The mountains are impressive,” she adds. “I had never seen snow in my life.”
Prieto remains proudly connected to her roots. “I’m proudly Mexican and always will be,” she says. “I cook Mexican food, teach songs, and share with my friends so they can see the good side of Mexico.” Representing her country in Alaska fills her with pride. “It hasn’t been easy, but every sacrifice has been worth it. This is just the beginning.” You can catch María José Prieto and the UAA Seawolves Gymnastics team in action this season. Come cheer them on and support local sports in Anchorage.
