Beal signs to Mary-Hardin Baylor for gymnastics

Nov. 14—HUNTSVILLE — With college signing days going on all around the country, Huntsville saw a unique signing that may be one of the first to happen in Walker County.

Huntsville native Ellie Beal signed her National Letter of Intent to the University of Mary-Hardin Baylor to be a part of their acrobatics and tumbling team. Beal has worked with the American Flip Factory for the last few years with the Xcel Diamond team.

"Being able to sign with Mary-Hardin Baylor was always my goal," Beal said. "Being able to do it was a dream come true."

Beal has been with American Flip Factory since the gym opened in 2018 and has been on the Xcel Diamond team since. She joined the gym with just a base level of knowledge of the sport and has excelled under her coach.

"Ellie started with us shortly after we opened, if not right away," American Flip Factory owner and coach Kristen Dutka said. "She has been with us since we opened and has been on the competitive team. This will be her fifth season. Ellie is the hardest worker and has the most drive of any athlete I've ever coached. If she does not get a skill, she will stay and work on it until she does. She sets her goals high and reaches them."

While she will be attending Mary-Hardin Baylor for acrobatics and tumbling, Beal wants to be involved in more than just gymnastics and school.

Once she gets established, Beal wants to get involved in ministry at UHMB in an outreach program.

"I want to major in business and marketing and I would love to get involved in some of their ministry stuff," Beal said. "Other than school and athletics, I would love to get involved in some outreach. Hopefully, maybe get involved in some leadership position."

With just a few months left until heading to school, Beal will keep competing with the Xcel Diamond team.