Recruit Spotlight: Kylee McQueen

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Meet Kylee McQueen, a standout gymnast from Ontario’s Alliston Gymnastics Club and future Maryland Terrapin. A four-star recruit, McQueen has been turning heads with her upgraded routines and consistent performances—most notably placing second all-around at nationals in 2024. As the first athlete from her gym to compete at the NCAA level, she’s paving her own path and setting the standard for future generations. We caught up with McQueen to learn more about her journey, her goals for college gymnastics, and the fajita-fueled ritual that gets her meet-ready.

Responses have been edited for length and/or clarity.

Club gym: Alliston Gymnastics Club

College team: Maryland

Hometown: Barrie, Ontario, Canada

How did you first fall in love with gymnastics?

My gymnastics journey began when I was two. My mom put me in it because I was full of energy and couldn’t sit still. After a few years in recreational gymnastics, one of my coaches told me to try competitive gymnastics. The constant challenge and gaining new skills made me fall in love with the sport.

What has been the highlight of your gymnastics career so far?

Making it to nationals this past year and placing second all-around.

You made a big jump from a three-star to a four-star recruit this year. What do you think contributed to that rise, and how did it help your confidence?

Implementing a few of my upgrades into my routines, as well as focusing on the small details helped contribute to that rise. Being able to compete my routines more consistently helped build my confidence throughout the season.

What goals are you most excited about for the rest of this year and into 2026?

Adding more upgrades into my routines and gaining more confidence in executing my skills.

Who has made the biggest impact on your gymnastics career, and how have they inspired or shaped your journey?

My current coaches, Rod and Brenda, have made the biggest impact on my gymnastics career. When I first moved to Alliston, I didn’t have as much passion for gymnastics. Their support quickly helped me gain my love back for the sport. Their belief in me throughout my journey has helped me grow not only as a person but as a gymnast as well. I am extremely grateful for the impact they have made on my career.

Was there a specific moment or competition when you realized college gymnastics was within your reach?

I’ve always wanted to do college gymnastics. It has been a goal of mine forever! After placing fourth at nationals in 2023, I realized college gymnastics was within my reach. The skills they were competing were similar to the skills I was working on. This gave me more motivation to get the routines to compete at the collegiate level.

What’s one of the toughest challenges you’ve faced in gymnastics, and how has overcoming it shaped you as both an athlete and a person?

I would say one of the toughest challenges I’ve faced in gymnastics was not being able to compete in on day two of nationals in 2024. During day one, I sustained an injury to my thumb, and it required me to scratch day two. This was a difficult decision for me and was extremely devastating. Although I couldn’t compete, I supported my teammates by going to cheer them on. After the competition, I worked hard on the things I could and made it my goal to redeem myself at nationals this year.

What’s a personal gymnastics achievement you’re especially proud of that might surprise people?

My progress on bars has been an achievement I’m extremely proud of! It’s always been the event I’ve struggled with more than others. I have been able to implement a few upgrades over the last couple of years, and it’s made a huge impact on my routine for the better.

You’re the first athlete from your gym to do college gymnastics. What does that milestone mean to you, and how has that shaped the way you’ve approached your recruiting journey and commitment to Maryland?

Being the first person to do college gymnastics from my gym means a lot to me. It reflects on my hard work and dedication to the sport. Coming from a small town gym was definitely difficult during the recruiting process, as I didn’t have anyone to look up to and had to figure things out for myself. It feels like a big accomplishment, as I am representing my gym. I feel like a role model in my gym for the younger gymnasts.

What are you most excited to experience in college, both as a gymnast and in your personal life?

While in college, I’m excited to have more independence and be able to learn more skills used in day-to-day life. For the gymnastics aspect, I’m really excited for the new atmosphere and environment, as well as being on new equipment!