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Dreams Fulfilled
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Terin Humphrey
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 Terin Humphrey, a United States gymnast, was a member of the 2004 U.S. Olympic team in Athens, Greece. She also competed in the event finals on the uneven bars and won a silver medal for her country. Terin placed third at the 2004 U.S. Gymnastics Championships in Nashville, TN, improving on her sixth place performance the year before. In 2003, Terin was a member of the first U.S. National women’s squad to win the World Team Championship, contributing one of her signature elegant, yet difficulty-packed floor routines.
Terin currently attends the University of Alabama, a traditional power in women’s collegiate gymnastics, and is a member of the National Honor Society. In 2005, her freshman season, Humphrey won the NCAA Uneven Bars Individual National Championship.
Humphrey is the forth elite gymnast from GAGE to earn a scholarship to Alabama, following Kim Masters, Marna Neubauer and Gwen Spidle. “Every athlete that we have had come to Alabama from Al Fong’s gym has won an NCAA Championship while she was here,” says University of Alabama Head Gymnastics Coach, Sarah Patterson.
“Training is an important part of my life. To become a good gymnast, you have to take it one day at a time. You take it one practice, one routine, one day at a time. You work hard, on your mental and physical preparation, and you keep working until you reach your goal.”
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International Competition
2004 Olympics, Athens, GRE; Silver–UB, Silver–Team
2004 Visa American Cup, New York City, NY; 3rd- V, 3rd -UB, 3rd -FX
2003 World Championships, Anaheim, CA; 1st-Team
2003 Pacific Challenge (USA/CAN/AUS), Fullerton, CA; 2nd-Team, 6th-AA, 2nd-V
2002 World Gymnastics Championships, Debrecen, Hungary; 9th-VT, 11th-FX
2002 USA/UKR/BRA Team Meet, Curitiba, BRA; 1st-Team, 3rd- AA, 3rd-FX
2002 USA-MEX Dual Meet, Houston, TX; 1st-Team, 2nd-AA, 2nd-V, 3rd-UB, 3rd-BB
2002 Pacific Alliance Championships, Vancouver, CAN; 1st-Team, 2nd-AA, 4th-UB
2002 GYMNIX, Montreal, CAN; 3rd-AA, 1st-FX
2001 Pontiac American Team Cup, Honolulu, Hawaii; 1st-Team
2000 Pontiac International Team Championships, Syracuse, N.Y.; 1st-Team
2000 USA vs. France, St. Etienne, France; 1st-Team, 1st-AA
2004 Visa U.S. Championships, Nashville, Tenn.; 3rd- AA, T5th- UB, T4th- FX
2003 U.S. National Championships, Milwaukee, WI; 6th AA, 8th V, 5th UB, 5th BB
2003 U.S. Classic, San Antonio, TX; 3rd-AA, 6th-UB, 2nd-BB
2003 American Classic, Boston, MA; 7th-AA, 2nd BB
2003 National Elite Podium Meet, Fairfax, VA; 2nd-AA, 3rd-FX, 4th-BB, 5th-UB
2002 U. S. Championships, Cleveland, OH; 7th-AA, 6th-V
2002 U.S. Classic, Virginia Beach, Va.; 4th-AA, 7th-V, 3rd-UB, 7th-BB
2002 National Elite Podium Meet, Orlando, FL; 4th-AA, 7th-V, 4th-UB & FX, 8th-BB
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Courtney McCool
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By age sixteen, Courtney McCool was spending more than 35 hours a week training at GAGE. After winning the Level 10 National title in 2001, Courtney moved up to the highest level of gymnastics, becoming a junior international elite in 2002.
In 2003, with her trademark precision and grace, Courtney continued the success at her first international competition, the 2003 Pan American Games. There she contributed scores on vault, bars, and beam to help the U.S. earn the title of 2003 Pan American Game Champions! Courtney also earned a silver medal in vault finals.
Not only could Courtney compete at the highest level but she could win. A few weeks after American Cup, Courtney was sent to Athens, Greece to represent the U.S. at the Olympic Test Event. Courtney won the All-Around competition and was the only gymnast to qualify for all four event finals.
In Athens, Courtney was part of one of the greatest U.S. gymnastics teams in history. They earned a silver medal for their performance – the second highest finish for the U.S. in a fully attended Olympic Games! Courtney was also able to submit her original beam mount to the Code of Points, and it has now been officially named the McCool.
“I pray that my actions are a good example for other girls in life as well as gymnastics.”
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International Competition
2004 Olympics, Athens, GRE; Silver–Team
2004 Athens Test Event, Athens, GRE; 1st –AA, 2nd –V, 3rd –UB, 7th –BB, 5th -FX
2004 Visa American Cup, New York, N.Y.; 2nd -AA, 2nd-V, 2 nd -FX
2003 Masillia Gym Cup, Marseille, FRA; 2nd –Team, 3rd-AA, 1st-BB, 4th-V
2003 Pan American Games, Santo Domingo, DOM; 1st –Team, 2nd -V
2002 USA Japan Dual, Houston, Texas; 1st –Team, 3rd -V
National Competition
2004 Visa U.S. Championships, Nashville, Tenn.; 4th- AA, T3rd- BB, 2nd- FX
2003 U. S. National Championships, Milwaukee, Wis.; 2nd AA, 2nd V, 4th UB, 2nd BB (Jr. Div.)
2003 U.S. Classic, San Antonio, Texas; 2nd–AA, 5th–V, 2nd–UB, 2nd–BB, 2nd–FX (Jr. Div.)
2003 American Classic, Boston, Mass.; 2nd-AA, 2nd–V, 5th–UB, 5th–BB, 2 nd–FX (Jr. Div.)
2003 National Elite Podium Meet, Fairfax, Va.; 3rd- V, 3rd –BB, 5th –FX (Jr. Div.)
2002 U.S. Gymnastics Championships, Cleveland, Ohio; 8th-UB
2002 U.S. Classic, Virginia Beach, Va.
2002 American Classic, Indianapolis , Ind.; 6th –BB, 9th –FX
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Sarah Shire
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Sarah Shire is a four-year U.S. National Team member and has extensive international success. She placed second on vault and sixth in the All-Around at the 2004 Chunichi Cup in Japan and was runner-up on vault, fourth on beam and fifth on bars at the 2004 Cottbus DTB World Cup in Germany. She also placed sixth in the All-Around at the 2005 U.S. Classic and won the bronze on vault and bars at the 2005 North American International Tri-Meet. Sarah is also a member of the National Honor Society and recently signed with the 10-time national champion Utah gymnastics team in Salt Lake City, Utah. She was recruited by UCLA, Michigan, Alabama, LSU and Missouri.
“Sarah has the most international experience of this signing class. She is one of the most talented athletes we’ve ever signed. I really believe the sky’s the limit for Sarah as she transitions to NCAA gymnastics. She’ll be a contender in the All-Around from the day she steps on to campus. She is as determined and directed as any athlete I’ve ever known. I think her level of difficulty on each event will astound our fans,” said Utah Head Coach, Greg Marsden.
“My overall goal is to be on an Olympic team. I just love coming here (to GAGE) to work out. It’s not even like work – it’s fun, especially when you master a new skill.”
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International Competition
2005 North American Intl. Tri-Meet, Long Island, NY; 1st -Team, 3rd -V, 3rd -UB
2004 Chunichi Cup, Nagoya JPN; 6th-AA, 2nd-V, 7th-UB, BB, FX
2004 Cottbus DTB World Cup, Cottbus, GER; 2nd-V, 5th-UB, 4th-BB
2003 DTB World Cup, Stuttgart, GER; Exibition
2003 Pacific Challenge (USA/CAN/AUS), Fullerton, Calif.; 2nd –Team, 4th -V
2002 deHypotheekshop Gymnastics Top, NED; 7th-AA, 5th-V, 5th-BB, 3rd-FX
National Competition
2005 Visa U.S. Championships, Indianapolis, IN; 9th -AA, 9th -UB
2005 U.S. Classic, Virginia Beach, VA; 6th -AA, 9th -UB; 5th -BB, FX
2004 Visa U.S. Championships, Nashville, TN; 15th -AA
2004 National Elite Podium Meet, New York, N.Y.; 3rd –AA, 3rd –UB, 7th –BB, 5th -FX
2003 U.S. National Championships, Milwaukee, Wis.; 15th AA, 4th V
2003 U.S. Classic, San Antonio, Texas; 5th –V, 8th -BB
2002 U.S. Gymnastics Championships, Cleveland, Ohio; 10th-AA, 4th-V (Jr. Div.)
2002 U.S. Classic, Virginia Beach, Va.; 20th-AA
2002 National Elite Podium Meet, Orlando, Fla.; 3rd -V
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Promising Hopefuls
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In Ivana Hong’s second year as an international elite, she has debuted a new vault (full-twisting Yurchenko), new skills and combinations on bars and beam, and two new passes on floor (a triple full and a full-twisting layout). Her goals for the year included qualifying for Nationals and earning a spot on the U.S. Junior National team – both of which she achieved earlier this summer! This fall, Ivana was one of two gymnasts selected to represent the USA at the Top Gym Competition in Charleroi, Belgium. She helped the USA win the competition with a first place finish on balance beam and the uneven bars, and third in the All-Around.
Ivana, who says her role models are her Grandmother and 2004 Olympic Team Member Courtney McCool, one day hopes to win gold medals for the U.S. on a World and Olympic team.
“This is why I moved here (Blue Springs, Mo.) from California. I wanted a top place to train and wanted to be coached by the best coaches. I really do like it here – it was the right decision.”
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International Competition
2006 USA/JPN/NZL, Houston, TX; 1st -Team, 3rd - AA, BB & FX
2005 Top Gym, Charleroi, BEL; 1st - Team, 3rd -AA, 1st -UB, 1st -BB
National Competition
2005 Visa U.S. Championships, Indianapolis, IN; 8th- AA, 4th -BB, 7th -FX (Jr. Div.)
2005 U.S. Classic, Virginia Beach, VA; 9th -AA, 2nd -BB, 8th -FX (Jr. DIv.)
2004 Visa U.S. Championships, Nashville, TN
2004 U.S. Classic, Rochester, NY; 10th-AA, 3rd-BB (Jr. Div.)
2004 American Challenge, Ontario, CA; 1st-AA, 2nd-V, 1st-UB, 4th-FX (Child Div.)
2003 U.S. Challenge, San Antonio, TX; 2nd-AA, 5th-V, 6th-UB, 2nd-BB, 6th-FX (Child Div.)
2003 American Challenge, Burlington, MA; 2nd-AA, 7th-V, 2nd-UB, 1st-BB, 3rd-FX (Child Div.)
2002 U.S. Challenge, Virginia Beach, VA; 3rd-AA, 6th-V, 9th-UB, 1st-BB, 4th-FX (Child Div.)
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Sarah DeMeo
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Only five years after beginning gymnastics, eleven year old Sarah DeMeo was a member of the TOPS National Team and a nationally competitive Level 9 gymnast.
In 2005 Sarah showed vast improvements in all areas of her gymnastics after a year of training with Dragon Gymnastics. Sarah started off the season taking 4th All-Around at the Coaches Cup and shortly after took the All-Around title at her home meet, the Dragon Invitational. In July, Sarah kicked off her elite season at the U.S. Classic, placing 13th in the All-Around and qualifying to the U.S. National Championships for the second consecutive year. In mid August, Sarah traveled to Championships in Indianapolis, Indiana where she finished the first day of competition in 15th place. By the end of the second day, Sarah had worked her way in 12th and had secured a spot on her first USA Junior National Team. Sarah is looking ahead to a year filled with opportunities to continually improve and represent the USA in international competitions.
“We found the best gym ever right here (in metropolitan Kansas City). Al (Fong) and Armine (Barutyan-Fong) are the best coaches in the world. They are making it possible for me to reach my highest goals.”
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International Competition
2006 USA/JPN/NZL, Houston, TX; Exibition Athlete
National Competition
2005 Visa U.S. Championships, Indianapolis, IN; 12th- AA, 8th -BB (Jr. Div.)
2005 U.S. Classic, Virginia Beach, VA
2004 Visa U.S. Championships, Nashville, TN
2004 U.S. Classic, Rochester, NY; 7th -BB (Jr. Div.)
2004 U.S. Challenge, Ontario, CA; Child Elite: 5th -PA, 3rd -Compulsory, 2nd AA- Optional
2003 Level 9 Western Championships, Anaheim, CA: 7th -AA, 9th -UB, 3rd -FX
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Rebecca Clark
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Rebecca Clark was born on January 4, 1993. Although Rebecca is new to the elite scene she has already made her mark as a level 10 gymnast. Rebecca placed 1st on bars and beam at 2005 Level 10 Regionals and 3rd AA qualifying to JO Nationals which would be held in Ontario, CA. Rebecca was a member of the Region 4 2005 JO National team and did very well at the meet individually placing 10th in the AA, 5th on FX, and 7th on BB. Rebecca also placed 3rd AA at the 2006 Dragon Invitational and qualified to Junior International Elite in June 2006.
Rebecca has been training at GAGE since she was 3 years old.
“When I accomplish something new, it makes me feel great. That feeling makes me want to work harder. Gymnastics has made me a better person and student, along with the support of my family, coaches and friends."
2006 Qualified to the US Classic
2006 Became an International Elite
2006 Dragon Invitational, AA-3rd
2005 JO Nationals, BB-7th, FX-5th, AA-10th
2005 Region 4 Championships (Level 10) UB-1st, BB-1st, AA-3rd
2005 Dragon Invitational, AA-1st
2004 Level 9 Westerns, AA-11th
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