Readers’ pick: Deja Chambliss

First-year exercise science graduate student Deja Chambliss has been an asset to the gymnastics team since joining as an undergrad in 2019. And this season, she is guiding the team as co-captain and bringing in a slew of impressive rankings.

The gymnast has tallied a series of accolades since joining the team in 2019. During her first season, she posted a team high score of 9.800 out of 10 on vault. And at the season-opening Lindsey Ferris Invitational, Chambliss landed an impressive 9.550 on floor. Unfortunately, a ruptured Achilles tendon forced Chambliss to sit out half of the 2019 season.

But she came back strong for her sophomore 2020 season matching or setting new career highs on vault, beam, bars and floor. She was the only gymnast to hit 9.900 on the vault and floor as a pair of events during her 2020 season. In an outstanding streak, Chambliss finished on the all-around podium at every meet she participated in that season.

During her 2021 season, Chambliss qualified to participate in the Salt Lake City NCAA Regionals on vault where she scored a 9.825 and shared a second overall vault title at the EAGL Championships with a 9.850.

And for three years in a row since 2019, Chambliss also qualified as a member of the All-EAGL Scholastic Team, meaning she maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above during the academic year.

Chambliss was named East Atlantic Gymnastics League Gymnast of the year by the league after finishing first on the vault, the floor and the all-around in the 2022 regular season EAGL conference. She is only the third GW gymnast to receive this title.

Despite an injury her first season, Chambliss has continuously proved her integral role on the team and is leading them with strength and experience as a graduate student athlete.