2008 - Senior: Competed on vault in every meet and on beam six times...Scored a career-high 9.875 on vault to take second at Illinois-Chicago, helping Illinois to a team vault record...Finished in a tie for 10th on vault (9.800) at the Big Ten Championships...Posted a personal-best 9.800 on beam against Michigan State...Took third on vault against Ohio State (9.725) and against Denver (9.800)...Academic All-Big Ten and Illinois Scholastic All-State selection.
2007 - Junior: Tied for second on vault at the NCAA South Central Regional Championships with a season-high 9.850...Was Illinois' top vaulter at the Big Ten Championships, tying for 11th place with a 9.800...Competed on vault in every meet on the season, usually in the lead-off position, and competed beam in six of the last seven meets...Placed second on vault at Denver on 3/11 with a 9.800...Took third on both vault (9.825) and beam (9.750) vs. UIC on 3/17...Has a total of seven event titles for the Illini through three seasons (four on vault and three on floor)...Academic All-Big Ten selection...Illinois Scholastic All-State selection and Chi Alpha Sigma Award recipient.
2006 - Sophomore: Competed on vault, beam and floor in the first eight meets of the season before being sidelined with a stress fracture in her leg...Had seven event titles on the season, four on vault and three on floor...Was a double-winner three times, winning vault and floor in three consecutive meets (vs. Maryland, at NIU and vs. Illinois State)...Set career-highs on all three events she competed on: vault (9.875 vs. Maryland) beam (9.775 at UIC) and floor (9.850 at NIU)...George Huff Award winner, Academic All-Big Ten selection and Illinois Scholastic All-State selection.
2005 - Freshman: Competed on vault in eight meets for the Illini and counted towards the team score seven times...Recorded a season and career-high of 9.800 on vault at the Texas Women's Quad meet...George Huff Award recipient and Illinois Scholastic All-State selection.
High School/Club: Five-time Level 10 regional qualifier...The 2004 balance beam champion, as well as fourth place in both the all-around and uneven bars at the IHSA meet...Finished third in the all-around, second on balance beam and uneven bars and fourth on vault at the 2004 USAG state meet...Finished second in the state on uneven bars and floor exercise at the 2003 IHSA meet.
Personal: Daughter of Michael and Diane McGrady...Majoring in accountancy...Biggest sports thrill was finishing 3rd place as a team at the 2007 Big Ten Championships...Feels her club coach, Leonard, most influenced her athletic career because he made gymnastics easier with his unique coaching style.
Coach Starkell on McGrady
"Entering her senior year, Michelle will be key factor for the success of this years' squad. Last year she was one of our best vaulters, along with being a main contributor on beam down the stretch. Look for her to continue where she left off and build on her runner up finish on vault at the 2007 NCAA Regional Championships."
Michelle's Career Highs
Vault: 9.875 (2x, last 3/15/08)
Beam: 9.800 (2/16/08)
Floor: 9.850 (1/29/06)
Individual Titles
Vault: 4
Floor: 3
Total: 7
The McGrady File
Nickname: Mich
Favorite Sports Team: Chicago Cubs
Favorite TV Show: The Hills
Favorite Movie: How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
Favorite Coach Bob Quote: "I-L-L-I-N-I" before huddle
Favorite Meal: Filet Mignon
Favorite Place on Campus: Walgreens
Favorite Singer/Band: Fergie
Smartest Teammate: Kim Kruk because she knows how to deal with any electronical dilemma.
Pre-meet superstition: A good nap
Age I started gymnastics: 3
Three words that describe me: Spontaneous, Fun, Glitz
Person I'd like to spend a day with: Pope Benedict XVI
One thing I always dream about: Retiring in the Caribbean
Plans after Illinois: Finish my masters at Illinois, sit for CPA exam and work for one of the Big Four in Chicago
Updated July 2008
