You’ve heard of the Collinsworths and the Pulsiphers, but have you heard of the Cannons?
McKay and Maddie Cannon are the latest couple to join BYU athletics after transferring from Weber State this year.
McKay is currently the first man off the bench for the men’s basketball team, and Maddie runs both track and cross-country. Her main event is the steeplechase.
The two met at a student athlete kickoff party when they were both freshmen at Weber State in January 2016, following McKay’s mission to Santiago, Chile.
McKay “roster-stalked” Maddie after taking a liking to her, and messaged her over Instagram a few days later.
They were married in September of that year, and decided to transfer to BYU together the following year.
Maddie is from Mapleton, Utah (Maple Mountain High School) and McKay was raised on a dairy farm in Shelley, Idaho.
Their fathers played basketball together at Ricks College for a year.
McKay said they decided to transfer after he realized staying at Weber State wasn’t in his best interests. Both sacrificed scholarships to walk on at BYU.
“Everything is easier when you have similar schedules,” Maddie said on the advantages of both being student athletes. “We’ve been impressed with BYU athletics. They take really good care of the athletes; it’s made the transition easy.”
Since McKay joined the basketball team at the end of November they have lost just two games, and went on a nine-game win streak during November and December.
He is fifth on the team in minutes played, sixth in assists and third in free-throw percentage, while accumulating only ten turnovers in eleven games.
He provides a spark off the bench on both ends of the court, averaging nearly two steals and six points per game.
Maddie ran cross-country for BYU in the fall, helping the women’s team to an 11th place finish at nationals. She will run the 3,000 meter and steeplechase in the upcoming track season.
“We want to continue to improve each and every day,” the couple said on their athletic careers. “We only have two years left at BYU. It goes by quick.”
The Cannons said they are grateful for all the help and resources made available to them and are excited to take advantage of their time as Cougars.
