Maria Scaffidi was born in Sussex, Wisconsin on April 6, 1988. She is the only daughter of Sandy and John. John was a collegiate track sprinter and Sandy was a high school gymnast. She began gymnastics in 1992. Maria was on the National TOPs Team in 1995 and 1996. She trained at LaFleur's Academy of Gymnastics until 2002. She then moved to Cincinnati Gymnastics Academy. Maria briefly quit the sport in 2003. She trained at Wisconsin Gymnastics Academy in 2003. She moved to Midwest Twisters in the late spring of 2004. Maria returned to Lafleur's in 2006.

In 1998, she qualified to the JO National Championships as a level ten. In 1999 she placed second all-around at the American Challenge. At the 2000 US National Championships she finished 11th all-around. By placing in the top twenty Maria made her first national team. Later that year Maria won the all-around at the Junior Pan American Games. She also took home the beam and team golds. In 2001 Maria placed 11th all-around at the US Classic. She made her second national team in August. Her final meet of the season was the deHypokeepshop Gymnastics Top in the Netherlands. Maria finished seventh all-around and fifth on vault.

Maria started training at Cincinnati Gymnastics in 2002. Family problems brought her back home. In 2003 she competed for Wisconsin Gymnastics Academy. Maria competed at the US Classic. In 2004, she began training at Midwest Twisters. Maria's final elite meet was the National Podium Meet. She began to compete level 10. At the 2004 JO Nationals she finished third on floor and 22nd all-around. Maria continued competing level 10 in 2005. She made her second trip to the JO National Championships that year. Maria began training at LaFleur's again in 2006. At the JO Nationals she finished tenth all-around.

She began competing for Nebraska in 2007. She competed on all four events. During the latter half of the season she was a two-event specialist. She finished in the top ten on vault and floor at the Big 12 Championships. She had a similar performance at the NCAA West Regional. She competed on vault and floor during the prelims at NCAA. She added bars during the Super Six Final. As a sophomore, she was a consistent all-around performer. She opened her 2008 season by winning the all-around against Iowa State. Academically, she earned a spot on the Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll in both the spring and fall. She missed 2009 because of a preseason injury.

Fast Facts Name: Maria Scaffidi Birthday: April 6, 1988 Club: LaFleur's College: Nebraska Nebraska

MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS Full Scholarship to Nebraska 2006: JO Nationals- 10th AA 2001: US National Team 2000: Jr. Pan Am Champion 2000: US Nationals- 11th AA

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Photos © Lloyd Smith