Lexie Priessman finished as SEC specialist of the week, following LSU’s win against Texas Woman’s University, and the junior gymnast had motivation to perform well with a special guest in attendance.
“I’m honestly speechless when I even talk about her because it makes me want to cry. She just means so much to us,” Priessman said.
Priessman is talking about Gracie Zaunbracher, a young girl who loves gymnastics, but gymnastics is the reason her parents, Byron and Maile, became aware of her diagnosis.
“She was diagnosed with DIPG. It’s an inoperable brain tumor. She was diagnosed in march, and Lexie has continued texting and snapchatting her. She’s grown to know all the team members just as much. They always put a smile on her face. Being with them just makes her happy,” Maile said.
Byron and Maile bring Gracie to Houston, Texas, for radiation, but when they’re not getting Gracie treatment, her parents make sure she’s in Baton Rouge, an experience they all love.
“We come out here as often as we can. If we’re not as the hospitals, we’re over here. I didn’t think I would enjoy this, and I absolutely love it, just being here,” Byron said.
Byron and Maile are currently awaiting for another trial to open up after doing finishing a six-week session.