For every sports team, there is always someone that can be a star, a prodigy, someone who can rise to the top and become an unforgettable athlete.

Senior gymnast Megan Harrington fits that mold in the yes of her coach.

“Megan definitely had qualities particularly performance qualities, she was really able to shine in competition and that is something that was really appealing.” Said head coach Kerrie Turner. “You could see the potential for her to continue to get better … so I never felt she was going to burn out or not want to strive to get better and clearly that is what she has done every year … is improve.”

Ever since high school, Harrington has seemed to have star potential in her. From the years 2007-2010 she was named most improved gymnast, most dedicated, voted team leader and in 2010 was elected the most valuable gymnast working with Gymnastics ETC, but she didn’t necessarily see her potential until college.

“When I was in club gymnastics … I qualified to nationals and was able to represent my region there but I never knew if I could do college gymnastics or not,” Harrington said. “It wasn’t until I was offered that scholarship that … [I realized] this is really happening for me and I think that was the moment where I realized how good I had actually become.”

With Harrington realizing her talents, she decided go to the next level and continue her gymnastics career at the collegiate level, choosing Bowling Green as her school of choice to extend her athletic career, and for the connection that she felt among the group. Her team back home in Bloomington, Ind., was a really close group of girls and when she came to BG she realized that the Falcons were similar to that.

“I just absolutely loved the team here and I think that is the main reason why I came to BG,” Harrington said.

Harrington from the start of her BG gymnastics career seemed poised for a successful college career as she competed in beam, bars and floor in all 10 of the Falcons meets her freshman year. She scored a 9.600 in her first meet, against Illinois-Chicago, and on bars placing second. In addition, she won consecutive balance beam competitions with scores of 9.400 and 9.700, along with having a 9.700 score or higher three straight times in the floor exercise.

Numbers like this for a true freshman can be quite exciting in the eyes of a coach looking for a new inspiration to help the team be that much better.

“You want athletes that are consistent but you also want athletes that make an immediate impact especially in a sport like gymnastics where you don’t spend your freshman year redshirting … you want them to get out there and get going.” Said Turner, “It was clear that Megan could handle the pressure and it was clear that she was at her best when she is competing.”

Since then her career has soared, achieving various accolades along the way. She advanced to NCAA regionals in 2012 and 2013, placing 18th in 2012 and 12th in 2013, along with finishing fifth at the MAC championships in 2012 producing a score of 9.600 on vault, a 9.775 on uneven bars, 9.725 on floor and a 38.650 in the all-around.

Harrington was now becoming a centerpiece for the Falcons gymnastics team and was continuing to make a statement as one of the up-and-coming key gymnasts for the program.

Despite the national placements, Harrington doesn’t just look at the personal achievements. She loves the competitiveness, and the love of the sport which keeps her fighting strong each meet.

“I love everything about gymnastics … I think it was in my blood because both my parents were gymnasts so I just loved it from day one,” Harrington said. “It is that feeling showing off what I have … accomplished to other people that don’t really see it all that much … I just love that.”

With the clock ticking down in Harrington’s senior year, she looks to etch her final mark into the Falcons program, one that everyone will remember.

“It is so hard for me talking about being a senior because I never want to be done with gymnastics ever,” said Harrington. “I love it so much and I have a such huge passion for it. I think that’s the main thing I want people to remember is how much I truly love this sport and had a passion for what I did and just had fun doing what I love to do.”