Biography
2009: Competed in three meets on beam and four meets on floor...recorded a season-high 9.625 on beam at Iowa with Wisconsin-Whitewater on Jan. 31st...posted a career-high 9.675 on floor at Utah with BYU and Southern Utah on Feb. 6th...received 2009 NACGC/W Scholastic All-American and 2009 USAG Scholar Athlete.
2008: Was in the Pioneers’ beam lineup for six regular season meets ...recorded three beam scores of 9.650 or better with a season high of 9.700 on Feb. 8 vs. Southeast Missouri State...also excelled academically as she was selected as a 2008 USAG Scholar-Athlete, named to the 2008 All-MIC Scholastic team, and received 2007-08 NACGC/W Scholastic All-America honors.
2007: Competed in 12 meets on beam as a freshman for the Pioneers…also performed twice on floor…posted three scores of 9.700 or better on beam…season-high beam score of 9.725 came on 2/10 versus Ball State and BYU…her average beam score was 9.489…top floor mark of 9.450 came on 1/27 versus Centenary, George Washington, and Oklahoma…picked for the 2007 All-MIC Scholastic team and the 2006-07 NACGC/W Academic All-America team.
CLUB/HIGH SCHOOL: A 2006 graduate of West Fargo (North Dakota) High School…competed for two club teams, American Gold Gymnastics in West Fargo (1990-2006) and TNT Kid’s Fitness and Gymnastics in Fargo (2006)…as a freshman in 2003, was a Region IV Qualifier and the North Dakota state Level 10 champion on both beam and all-around...additionally in 2003, was voted as American Gold’s “Vault Queen” and “Rising Star” beam worker…in 2004, was the North Dakota state Level 10 all-around champion, a Region IV qualifier, and voted as American Gold’s best “Bar Swinger”…in 2005, won the North Dakota state Level 10 vault championship, qualified (and finished tenth on beam) at the Region IV meet, and was chosen as her club’s “Best Team Leader”…enjoyed her best Region IV meet as a senior, finishing eighth on beam, eleventh on floor, and tenth in the all-around…a three-year member (10th to 12th grade) of the National Honor Society…also active in West Fargo’s Key Club, Student Council, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes…besides her gymnastics endeavors, she ran track for West Fargo as a senior.
PERSONAL: A health studies major…the daughter of Mike and Kim Pladson…among her favorites are Rascal Flatts (band), “Grey’s Anatomy” (TV show), and the book, Furious Pursuit...says her Grandma Lou is her role model.
Getting to know Leslie...
Favorite Movie: Remember the Titans
Favorite Band: Rascal Flatts
Favorite TV Show: Grey’s Anatomy
Favorite Book: Furious Pursuit and the Bible
Favorite Food: an English muffin toasted with pepper jack cheese and ham heated in the microwave for approximately 22 seconds.
Favorite Pro Sports Team: Green Bay Packers
Favorite Pro Athlete: Hakeem Olijawon
Best advice you ever received: Don't let fear get in your way, let it guide you to where you thought you could never go. Go BIG or Go HOME. Believe in yourself and have confidence in what you do…do it from the heart.
Best Gymnast you ever competed against: Alicia Sacromone
Role Model: my Grandma Lou
Most Prized Possesion: my bible
Hobbies: snowmobile, waterski, wakeboard, read, scrapbook, barefoot waterski, volleyball, swim
In ten years, I will be living on a lake with my family and will be working in a rehab center as an occupational therapist along with either coaching or judging gymnastics in my spare time
