g y m n a s t p r o f i l e s

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1 g y m n a s t p r o f i l e s

2 Kristina Baskett Senior 5 1 Normandy Park, Wash. Mt. Rainier HS Puget Sound Gymnastics Catching Up with Kristina Age Started Gymnastics: Two Last Summer I: Took photos, went to Seattle, South Dakota and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. These Words Describe Me: Smiley, outgoing, friendly Favorite Subject in School: Photography Favorite Activities: Dancing, photography, reading Favorite Book: Twilight Series Favorite Food: My mom s sourdough pancakes Favorite Musicians: The Spill Canvas, Greg Harlow Favorite Non U of U Sports Team: Utah Jazz Favorite Gymnast: Theresa Kulikowski UTAH: Seven-time All-American has won NCAA gold (2006 bars), silver (2008 vault) and bronze (2008 all-around) medals 53 career victories has hit career routines 2008 CoSIDA second-team Academic All-American three-time recipient of the Dahl Award, which is given to the Utah gymnast who most distinguishes herself academically and athletically First-team All-American in the all-around (3rd), on vault (2nd), bars (6th) and floor (DNF/injured ankle in finals) scored a and a in two days of NCAA all-around competition posted the highest score in NCAA Championships preliminary competition on vault (9.95) and bars (9.95) NCAA North Central Regional vault champion and all-around runner-up season-best all-around score at UCLA on Feb careerhigh on bars tied for the best score in the nation in 2008 second on the team in victories with 14 (10 on bars) hit routines CoSIDA Academic All-American (second-team at-large). NACGC Scholastic All-American and Mountain West Conference Scholar-Athlete won Utah s Dahl Award for academic and athletic success made Utah s Athletics Academic Honor Roll First-team All-American on the uneven bars (placed fourth) was the best bar score on the first day of the NCAA Championships NCAA West Regional vault co-champion and all-around runnerup career-best all-around score at Utah State on Feb tied her career high on vault with a against Arizona State second on the team in victories with 21 hit routines named to the CoSIDA Academic All-District At-Large second team won Utah s Dahl Award for academic and athletic success made the Dean s List and Athletics Academic Honor Roll NCAA uneven bar co-champion and first-team All-American earned second-team All-America honors on vault 9.90 bar score on the first day of NCAA Championships competition led both sessions 9.95 vault score in the Super Six tied for second place won her collegiate all-around debut against Nebraska on Jan. 20, scoring a season-best all-around score vs. Georgia on Mar victories was second-most on the team hit routines won Utah s Dahl Award for academic and athletic success NACGC Scholastic All-American and Mountain West Conference Scholar-Athlete made the Dean s List and the Athletics Director s Honor Roll. PRIOR TO UTAH: All-around, vault and floor champion at the 2005 USA Junior Olympic Championships qualified for the 2003 USA Championships took 18th in the all-around at the 2002 USA Championships placed fourth on vault at the 2004 U.S. Classic won the all-around competition at the 1999 Copa International in Monterey, Mexico, and the 2002 Costa Rica International trained at Puget Sound Gymnastics under coaches Brad Loan and Candyce Chittinden graduated from Mt. Rainier High School. PERSONAL: Daughter of Jean and Randy Baskett (pronounced bass-kett) father is a pilot for United Airlines one brother (Ricky) career goal is to become a professional photographer photos were chosen in an NCAA contest and were displayed in the Gaylord National Gallery in Washington, D.C. during the 2009 NCAA Convention... photos were also featured in the NCAA publication Champion communication (electronic journalism) major full name is Kristina Marie Baskett born June 5, Baskett s Career Highs All-Around vs. Utah State, Feb. 9, 2007 Vault vs. Brigham Young, Feb. 24, vs. Arizona State, Mar. 23, vs. Utah State/SUU, Feb. 22, 2008 Bars vs. Brigham Young, Mar. 28, 2008 Beam vs. UCLA, Jan. 12, 2007 Floor vs. Oregon State, Mar. 10, vs. Utah State, Feb. 9, vs. UCLA, Feb. 24, t i m e n a t i o n a l c h a m p i o n s

3 Nina Kim Senior 5 3 Houston, Texas Alpha Omega Academy World Olympic Gymnastics Academy Meet the Utes Catching Up with Nina Age Started Gymnastics: Five Last Summer I: Went to the Student-Athlete Conference in Florida, to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, with some teammates, and to the Beijing Olympics to watch Nastia (Liukin). You May Not Know: I didn t know how to speak English until I was five years old I chose Utah because: I fit in with the team and staff and also because the mountains of Utah are so different from Texas Favorite Subject in School: Art Favorite Activities: Drawing, designing, shopping Favorite Book: Twilight Series Favorite Singer: The Spill Canvas Favorite Non U of U Sports Team: Utah Jazz UTAH: Clutch performer has hit 18-of-18 routines in three years competing at the NCAA Championships when healthy, she is one of the nation s best all-arounders four career wins has hit career routines selected from 1,840 applicants from 462 institutions to attend the 2008 NCAA National Student Athlete Development Conference Lake Buena Vista, Fla., last May member of Utah s Student Athlete Mentors (SAMS) Competed on vault, bars and beam both nights of the NCAA Championships, hitting all six routines and averaging a 9.80 bar routine on opening day of nationals was her first competition on the apparatus in nine meets due to foot and ankle injuries 9.85 on beam in the Super Six was the sixth-best beam score had secured an all-around spot (scoring a career-high on Feb. 1 against Minnesota) before injuries struck... two wins hit routines made Utah s Athletics Academic Honor Roll Career-tying 9.90 beam score in the Super Six on the final rotation helped propel Utah to a runner-up finish at the NCAA Championships competed on vault, bars and beam in every meet scored a careerhigh on bars at Utah State on Feb. 9 season-high on vault three times hit routines made the Athletics Academic Honor Roll All-arounder hit all eight routines at the NCAA Championships all-around score tied for 11th in the Super Six field also had the sixth-best beam score (9.85) and seventh-best vault score (9.90) in the Super Six placed fourth all-around at the NCAA Regional championships all-around high against BYU went all-around in the final nine meets and scored above a 39.0 in all of them best apparatus score was a on vault and floor two victories (both on floor) hit routines made the Dean s List. PRIOR TO UTAH: Four-year USA National Team member did not compete in 2005 placed first on the balance beam at the 2004 American Classic and won the all-around at the 2003 Podium Meet and the 2002 Crystal D Arc in France also earned top-six finishes at the 2002 USA Gymnastics Championships (6th), the 2003 Golden Lilia in the Ukraine (5th) and the 2004 FL Gymnastics Open in Luxembourg (3rd) won the uneven bar title at meet in Luxembourg finished 16th in the all-around at the 2004 U.S. National Championships Houston native moved to Rowlett, Texas (near Dallas) to train at the World Olympic Gymnastics Academy under coaches Evgeny Marchenko and Natasha Boraskya. home schooled (received degree from Alpha Omega High School). PERSONAL: Daughter of Sanya and Jong Wook Kim parents are immigrants from South Korea she and sister Jenny communicate with their parents in Korean went to Beijing to watch friend and Olympic all-around gold medalist Nastia Liukin compete in the 2008 Summer Olympics art major full name is Nina Song Yi Kim born Nov. 3, Kim s Career Highs All-Around vs. Minnesota, Feb. 1, 2008 Vault vs. Brigham Young, Feb. 24, 2006 Bars vs. Utah State, Feb. 9, 2007 Beam vs. Brigham Young, Mar. 24, at NCAA Championships, Apr. 27, vs. Minnesota, Feb. 1, vs. Brigham Young, Feb. 8, 2008 Floor vs. Brigham Young, Mar. 24, vs. Minnesota, Feb. 1, t i m e n a t i o n a l c h a m p i o n s 27

4 Daria Bijak Junior 5 2 Cologne, Germany Georg Buechner Gymnasium HS Turnteam Toyota Cologne Catching Up with Daria Age Started Gymnastics: Six Nickname: Dari Last Summer I: Competed in the Beijing Olympics for Germany These Words Describe Me: Silly, sarcastic, determined You May not Know: I speak three languages I chose Utah because: I love this team Favorite Book: Man and Boy Favorite Food: Pasta, sushi Favorite Gymnastics Skill: Double punch front on floor UTAH: 2008 Olympian is a contender for the NCAA all-around title three-time All-American first tumbling pass on floor is unique to college gymnastics five career victories has hit career routines Competed for Germany in the Beijing Olympic Games performed all four events in team preliminaries and was Germany s high scorer on the floor placed fourth in the German National Championships in June two-time All- American at the NCAA Championships won second-team honors in the all-around and on floor 9.90 on bars during the Super Six was the third-best bar score of the meet career-best all-around score at Michigan on Mar. 22 four wins hit routines won Utah s Coaches Award as the Most Improved Gymnast named to the CoSIDA Academic all- District VIII at-large team NACGC Scholastic All-American and Mountain West Conference Scholar-Athlete First-team All-American placed eighth on the uneven bars at the NCAA Championships overcame November knee surgery and a mid-season injury to both knees to compete on bars and beam at nationals on the opening day of the NCAA Championships, she scored a career-best on bars tying for first in the evening session and a 9.80 on beam 9.85 on beam in the Super Six until injuring her knees in late March, she was a starter on three events (bars, beam and floor) hit routines one victory NACGC Scholastic All-American made the Dean s List and the Athletics Academic Honor Roll 4.0 GPA spring semester. PRIOR TO UTAH: Two-time German national all-around champion ( ) also won national titles on vault and floor at the 2005 German National Championships, and placed first on bars at the 2006 national meet placed eighth in the all-around at the 2005 World Championships in Melbourne, Australia 20th all-around at the 2003 World Championships third on vault and bars, and fourth in the all-around at the 2003 German Championships trained at Turnteam Toyota Cologne for coach Shanna Poljakova graduated from Georg Buechner High School. PERSONAL: Daughter of Christel and Christoph Bijak name is pronounced Darr-ee-a BEE-jhack (soft j ) one brother (Thomas) film studies major full name is Daria Eva Bijak born Nov. 12, 1985 in Poland. Bijak s Career Highs All-Around vs. Michigan, Mar. 22, 2008 Vault vs. UCLA, Feb. 24, 2008 Bars at NCAA Championships, Apr. 26, 2007 Beam vs. Utah State/SUU, Feb. 22, vs. Michigan, Feb. 24, 2008 Floor vs. UCLA, Feb. 24, t i m e n a t i o n a l c h a m p i o n s

5 Jamie Deetscreek Junior 5 3 Hatboro, Pa. Hatboro-Horsham HS Ricochets Gymnastics Catching Up with Jamie Age Started Gymnastics: Three Last Summer I: Took summer school classes and went home for a month These Words Describe Me: Sarcastic, gullible, nerdy You may not know: I m obsessed with the color purple Favorite Non U of U sports team: Pittsburgh Steelers Favorite Subject in School: Writing Favorite Activities: Painting, singing Favorite Movies: Blue Streak, Happy Gilmore Favorite Food: Vanilla yogurt UTAH: Broke into the starting lineup on bars and beam as a sophomore has hit career routines member of Utah s Student-Athlete Mentors (SAMS) Made the NCAA Championships lineup on the beam and hit both routines, scoring a 9.80 and a in the preliminary round and Super Six, respectively Utah s first competitor of the night in the Super Six team finals made the beam lineup in every meet but the season opener also made nine starts on bars Utah s leadoff performer on bars and beam at the NCAA regional meet career-best on beam and on bars (twice) hit routines NACGC Scholastic All- American Mountain West Conference Scholar-Athlete also made the Dean s List and the Athletics Academic Honor Roll Competed to count against Utah State and Nebraska season-best best on bars and 9.75 on beam (twice) scored a 9.65 in her only vault to count hit 4-4 routines NACGC Scholastic All- American made the Dean s List and the Athletics Academic Honor Roll 4.0 GPA spring semester. PRIOR TO UTAH: Two-year Junior National Team member qualified as an Elite in and 2004 Junior Olympic all-around and beam champion also won the J.O. bar title in 2004 seventh in the all-around and eighth on vault and bars at the 2005 J.O. Championships won the 2005 Level 10 state and regional all-around, vault, beam and floor titles trained at Ricochets for Troy Miller, Janet Hamvas, Chris Zimmerman and Amanda Greer graduated from Hatboro-Horsham High School. PERSONAL: Daughter of Jean and Gary Deetscreek father is a golf pro and mother is a pharmacist both parents are graduates of Temple University, where her father played on the golf team sister Chrissy and brother Michael elementary education major full name is Jamie Lee Deetscreek born May 4, Deetscreek s Career Highs Vault 9.65 vs. Nebraska, Mar. 4, 2007 Bars vs. Brigham Young, Feb. 8, vs. UCLA, Feb. 24, 2008 Beam vs. Minnesota, Feb. 1, t i m e n a t i o n a l c h a m p i o n s 29

6 Annie DiLuzio Junior 5 3 Folsom, Calif. Folsom HS Byers Gymnastics Sacramento Catching Up with Annie Age Started Gymnastics: Two Nickname: Dooz Last Summer I: Went to the Bahamas These Words Describe Me: Determined, supportive, affectionate You may not know: I was born in Canada and I have dual citizenship Favorite Gymnastics Skill: Triple full on floor Most Difficult Skills I ve performed: 3 ½ twist on floor and Yerchenko 2 ½ on vault Favorite Subject in School: Psychology Favorite Foods: Steak and pasta UTAH: NCAA runner-up on the vault as a freshman came to Utah as one of the best vaulters in the world after finishing second in the 2005 World Cup competes on vault, beam and floor strong tumbler four career victories has hit career routines, including all 11 NCAA Championships routines member of Utah s Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Three-event starter (vault, beam and floor) averaged a 9.80 on her six routines at the NCAA Championships scored a career-high on floor at both Washington and UCLA... career-high 9.85 on beam three wins did not fall all season (hit routines) made the Athletics Director s Honor Roll NCAA vault runner-up scored a in individual event finals firstteam All-American on vault scored a career-high on vault the first day of the NCAA Championships also competed on floor at nationals, scoring a and 9.85 in the team qualifying round and Super Six, respectively hit all five routines at nationals consistent scorer on vault and floor also competed on beam for the first five meets... four 9.90-orbetter vault scores and one 9.90 on floor scored a 9.90 on vault and a on floor at regionals one victory hit routines NACGC Scholastic All-American made the Dean s List and the Athletics Academic Honor Roll. PRIOR TO UTAH: Two-year U.S. National Team member was the vault runnerup at the 2005 World Cup in Belgium and at the 2005 U.S. Championships placed seventh in the all-around at the 2005 U.S. Championships first on vault at the 2005 North American Tri-Meet (USA, Canada, Mexico) won vault and finished 10th all-around at the 2004 U.S. Classic 2003 Junior Olympic floor champion and vault runner-up trained at Byers Gymnastics Sacramento under coaches Mas Watanabe and Eli and Debbie Rodriguez... graduated from Folsom High School. PERSONAL: Daughter of Nancy and John DiLuzio (pronounced da-loo-zee-oh) father is a firefighter adopted when she was 10 days old one brother (Anthony) behavioral science and health major full name is Annie Kaitlyn DiLuzio born Sept. 28, 1988 in British Columbia, Canada. DiLuzio s Career Highs Vault at NCAA Championships, April 26, 2007 Beam vs. Florida, Mar. 14, 2008 Floor vs. Washington, Feb. 16, vs. UCLA, Feb. 24, t i m e n a t i o n a l c h a m p i o n s

7 Beth Rizzo Junior 5 0 Hoffman Estates, Ill. William Friend HS Buffalo Grove Gymnastics Meet the Utes Catching Up with Beth Age Started Gymnastics: Two These Words Describe Me: Energetic, ambitious, determined Favorite Non U of U Sports Team: New York Yankees Favorite Gymnastics Skill: Double layout on floor Favorite Activities: Playing any sport, cooking, watching movies Favorite Movie Star: Steve Carell Favorite TV Shows: 24, Heroes Favorite Subject in School: English Favorite Food: Ice cream, chocolate Favorite Gymnast: Dominique Dawes UTAH: Initially walked on to the team before being awarded a scholarship for this season became just the second Ute walk-on gymnast ever to make All-American and the only one win first-team honors best event is floor one career victory has never fallen in college competition entering her junior year (25-25 for her career) member of Utah s Student Athlete Advisory Committee Scored a 9.80 as Utah s leadoff performer on floor in the NCAA Super Six Championship career-high 9.90 on floor twice 10 starts on floor and three on vault one win (on floor) hit routines made the Athletics Director s Honor Roll NCAA first-team All-American qualified for floor finals and placed 12th, scoring a qualified into event finals by scoring a 9.85 competed on floor in 11 meets, including all three days of NCAA Championships competition hit routines season-best at Utah State NACGC Scholastic All-American Redshirt NACGC/W Scholastic All-American Dean s List and Mountain West Conference Scholar-Athlete. PRIOR TO UTAH: Level 10 competitor from Level 9 national floor exercise champion in 2001 also finished third in the all-around 2001 Illinois state Level 9 all-around champion trained at Buffalo Grove Gymnastics Center under Teri Crumley and Tony Toms graduated from William Friend High School. PERSONAL: Daughter of Mary Ellen and Sal Rizzo both parents graduated from the College of New Jersey, where her father was on the wrestling team brother Joe played lacrosse at Western Illinois exercise and sport science major full name is Elizabeth Ellen Rizzo born June 12, Rizzo s Career Highs Vault vs. Utah State/SUU, Feb. 22, 2008 Floor vs. Minnesota, Feb. 1, vs. Washington, Feb. 16, t i m e n a t i o n a l c h a m p i o n s 31

8 Jacquelyn Johnson Sophomore 5 3 West Chester, Ohio Lakota West HS Cincinnati Gymnastics Academy Catching Up with Jacq Age Started Gymnastics: Two Nickname: Jacq Another Sport I tried: Figure skating for two years. These Words Describe Me: Responsible, funny, supportive I chose Utah because: The team atmosphere and the program s reputation are second to none and I find the mountains amazing since I grew up in the Midwest. You may not know: My mom and I moved to Ohio for my gymnastics when I was 11, while my dad and brother stayed in Michigan. Favorite Non U of U Sports Team: Cincinnati Reds Most Difficult Skill I ve performed: Stalder Khorkina from low bar to high bar Favorite Subject in School: Math Favorite Food: Spaghetti or sushi UTAH: Should benefit from a summer of conditioning and strength training after injuries stalled her progress as a freshman best events are bars and floor Missed most of the season with a broken foot competed in exhibition on beam vs. Nebraska, ASU and Minnesota made the Athletics Director s Honor Roll. PRIOR TO UTAH: USA National Team member from qualified as a Senior International Elite in USA World Championships team member third in the all-around at the 2006 American Cup all-around finish of 10th (2005) and 11th (2006) at the VISA Championships while competing for the National Team second in the all-around, first on bars and floor at the 2005 USA vs. Japan and New Zealand meet all-around and uneven bar runner-up at the 2004 Junior Olympic Championships also placed fourth on beam trained at Cincinnati Gymnastics Academy for coaches Mary Lee Tracy and Amy Wert graduated from Lakota West High School with high honors member of National Honor Society. PERSONAL: Daughter of Chuck Johnson and Angie Garcia Johnson father wrestled for Central Michigan mother competed in gymnastics and field hockey in college (Eastern Michigan and Central Michigan) mother is a gymnastics coach one brother (Marshall) has not chosen a major full name is Jacquelyn Ilene Johnson born June 17, 1989 in Michigan t i m e n a t i o n a l c h a m p i o n s

9 Gael Mackie Sophomore 5 2 Vancouver, B.C. Burnaby Central Omega Gymnastics Academy Meet the Utes Catching Up with Gael Age Started Gymnastics: Three This Summer I: Coached gymnastics These Words Describe Me: Ambitious, tough, hard working You may not know: I was the youngest Canadian athlete at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece. Favorite Non U of U Sports Team: Vancouver Canucks Favorite Activities: Reading, hiking, watching movies Favorite Movie Star: Will Ferrell Favorite Subject in School: History Favorite Food: Pineapple UTAH: Should play a much bigger role as a sophomore after participating in her first preseason training period at the U. late start a year ago she joined the team in January impacted her ability to make the lineup on any event other than bars hopes to show off some unique flexibility moves on the beam this year 2004 Canadian Olympian initially planned to defer enrollment at Utah until after the 2008 Olympics Joined the Utes at the semester break and broke into the bar lineup on Feb. 16 at Washington competed on bars in the last 10 meets, including both nights of NCAA Championships competition scored a on bars during the NCAA team preliminaries scored a season-high on bars against both Oregon State and Brigham Young one victory vaulted in meet at UCLA, scoring a hit routines NACGC Scholastic All- American also made the Dean s List and the Athletics Director s Honor Roll. PRIOR TO UTAH: As a 16-year-old, Mackie competed for Canada at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece at the 2007 Canadian National Championships, she placed fifth all-around and third on bars made the World Championships team in 2006 won the all-around, vault, bars and beam at the 2007 Friendship Classic finished seventh in the all-around to lead Canada to a bronze medal at the 2006 Commonwealth Games 2003 Senior National all-around champion fourth-place all-around showing and a bronze medal on the beam at the 2002 WOGA Classic seventh in the all-around (the best finish by a Canadian) and second on the beam at the 2002 Pacific Alliance meet 2002 Canadian Junior National all-around, vault and floor champion placed second on bars 2001 Canadian Junior National vault champion won the uneven bars at the 2002 Elite Canada Championships and the balance beam in 2003 trained for Vladimir and Svetlana Lashin at Omega Gymnastics Academy graduated from Burnaby Central Secondary where she made the honor roll. PERSONAL: Daughter of Bill and Susan Mackie both parents are doctors and former gymnasts father graduated from Michigan father made the 1968 and 1972 Canadian Olympic teams (he did not compete in either due to injury and his acceptance into medical school) mother was a National Team gymnast brother Owen and sister Christie also competed in gymnastics, and sister Charlotte is still competing brother also competed in aerial skiing has not yet chosen a major full name is Gael Briane Mackie born Dec. 16, Mackie s Career Highs Vault vs. UCLA, Feb. 24, 2008 Bars vs. Oregon State, Mar. 7, vs. Brigham Young, Mar. 28, t i m e n a t i o n a l c h a m p i o n s 33

10 Kyndal Robarts Sophomore 5 4 San Marcos, Texas Hays HS USA Aerial Athletics UTAH: All-American emerged as one of the NCAA s top freshmen in 2008 will contend for an all-around berth this year best events are vault and floor powerful tumbler First-team All-American on the vault scored a career-tying 9.90 on the first night of NCAA Championships competition and a in the Super Six placed 10th in vault finals also competed on floor at nationals and scored a in the Super Six competed on all four events during the season, although never as an all-arounder hit 28 of 29 routines, with her only fall coming on her first vault in NCAA vault finals made the Athletics Director s Honor Roll. PERSONAL: Daughter of Henry and Dawn Robarts name is pronounced RO-barts mother is a professor at Texas State University has sister Kaleigh, half brother Scott and half sister Stacy has not declared a major full name is Kyndal Autumn Robarts born Jan. 31, Robarts Career Highs Vault at NCAA Championships, Apr. 24, vs. Brigham Young, Feb. 8, vs. Florida, Mar. 14, 2008 Bars vs. Minnesota, Feb. 1, 2008 Beam vs. Nebraska, Jan. 18, 2008 Floor vs. Washington, Feb. 16, 2008 Catching Up with Kyndal Age Started Gymnastics: Three These Words Describe Me: Outgoing, fun, happy Some Day I d Like to: Go sky diving Favorite Non U of U Sports Teams: Texas Longhorns and San Antonio Spurs I Chose Utah because: I like having 12,000 people at every home meet Favorite Gymnastics Skill: Double Arabian Favorite Activities: Swimming, water skiing, camping, playing games, reading Favorite Movie: Juno Favorite Subject in School: Chemistry Favorite Food: Cheese and grapes PRIOR TO UTAH: Spent two years on the U.S. Junior Olympic National Team two-time J.O. floor exercise champion ( ) was the all-around runner-up at the 2005 and 2006 J.O. nationals 2007 region and state gymnast of the year Junior International Elite trained at USA Aerial Athletics for coaches Heather Schnelzer and Mike Hunsucker graduated from Hays High School in the top 10-percent of her class t i m e n a t i o n a l c h a m p i o n s

11 Cortni Beers Freshman 5 3 Tulsa, Okla. Union HS Krafft Academy of Gymnastics Meet the Utes Catching Up with Cortni UTAH: Highly-regarded recruit was a twoyear U.S. National Team member could make Utah s lineup on several events as a freshman best events are bars and beam. PRIOR TO UTAH: Competed on the U.S. National Team from placed 10th in the all-around and seventh on the balance beam at the 2005 USAG Nationals 12th in the all-around at the 2004 USAG nationals and 16th in 2006 silver medalist in the all-around and on beam at the 2005 USA-Japan meet took third in the all-around in both the 2005 and 2007 Friendship Cups, and finished first on vault at the 2007 Friendship Cup in 2007, she placed fourth in the all-around at both the Crystal Cup Invitational and the Dynamo Classic seventh in the all-around and on the floor exercise at the 2007 U.S. Classic recipient of the 2002 Shannon Miller award trained at Krafft Academy of Gymnastics for coaches Kristi Krafft and Jean Luc Carrion graduated from Union High School. PERSONAL: Daughter of Reese and Lora Beers one brother (Kegon) and one sister (Elyssabeth) has not declared a major full name is Cortni Noel Beers born Mar. 22, Greg Marsden Says Cortni has a variety of high level skills, which she competes without compromising the artistic qualities of gymnastics. Cortni s movement pattern is fluid and she has her own unique style. She is the type of gymnast we love here at Utah and we expect her to help us immediately. Age Started Gymnastics: Three These Words Describe Me: Calm, stubborn, bubbly Family Note: I have 24 cousins on my dad s side Last Summer I: Counted the days until I came to Utah! I ve Always Wanted: A pet snake Hardest Skill I ve done: Back handspring, back handspring, full-on beam mount Favorite Books: Twilight Series, Harry Potter, Eragon Trilogy Favorite Subject in School: Science Favorite Food: Steak t i m e n a t i o n a l c h a m p i o n s 35

12 Stephanie McAllister Freshman 5-2 Indianapolis, Ind. Perry Meridian HS Wright s American Gymnastics UTAH: U.S. Junior Olympic champion expects to make an immediate impact in college gymnastics best events are bars and floor watch for her signature McAllister move on the uneven bars. PRIOR TO UTAH: Three-year Junior Olympic Team member was the 2005 J.O. national all-around champion and the 2007 J.O. uneven bar champion placed fourth in the all-around at both the 2006 and 2007 J.O. National Championships three-time member of the Region 5 all-star team that competed in El Salvador, Germany and Japan 2005 Region 5 Athlete of the Year in 2004, was credited with a move on the bars in her name (the McAllister) trained at Wright s American Gymnastics in Greenwood, Ind., for coaches Casey Wright and Michelle Hart National Honor Society member graduated in the top 10-percent of her class at Perry Meridian High School. PERSONAL: Daughter of David and Jennifer McAllister father graduated from Purdue and mother is an alum of Ball State sister Mindy attends the University of Idaho and is a dancer has not declared a major full name is Stephanie Lynn McAllister born May 22, Greg Marsden Says Stephanie owns her gymnastics she knows where she is, always lands on her feet and is very consistent. Steph s personality, both on and off the competitive floor, is infectious. She s someone who will be fun to work with and fun to watch. Catching Up with Stephanie Age Started Gymnastics: Five These Words Describe Me: Outgoing, enthusiastic, stubborn You May Not Know: Coming to Utah was the first time I have ever moved Favorite Non U of U Sports Team: Indianapolis Colts Favorite Subject in School: Math Favorite Food: Sushi Hardest Skill I ve done: Double, double dismount off bars Favorite Book: The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants Favorite TV Shows: Grey s Anatomy, Friends Favorite Gymnast: Meredith Magjuka t i m e n a t i o n a l c h a m p i o n s