I had some consistency issues in my early training because of frequent moves as a result of my father's military career. Bouncing from gym to gym during the formative years and a 2-year hiatus during which time I competed as a figure skater left me a little behind compared to others my same age.
I spent a lot of time refining skills and developing strong techniques needed to progress as a competitive gymnast and catch-up. Consistent gymnastics started with Beau and Patty Desoto at Flip-Flop Gymnastics Academy in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. I then moved to Memphis, training with Chuck Terrell at the former gym of Olympic gymnast Lucy Wener Gymnastics Training Center and then with Shelton and Nancy Winn (mother of Amie Winn, first UK Gym-Kat to win SEC Regional AA) in Lexington, KY.
I tore my ACL in 1996, but refuse to let that be the end of my career. I wanted to go out own my terms. After coming back from my injuries, I went on to reestablish the University of Wisconsin - Madison Gymnastics Club Team and competed for UW-Madison for 2 years. I then went to Europe and competed Senior Meisters for SC Berlin in Germany and KDO Lekkerkerk in the Netherlands. My first competion, I had to get special permission to compete because, at 29, I was 2 months too young for the competion! It was a 30 and up competition with amazing gymnasts and challenging gymnastics. The oldest female was 57 doing handstand forward rolls on the beam. The oldest man was 74 and he competed all 6 events. I was beat by a 45 year old at the time who was still throwing double fulls.
Now back in the US, I am not giving up my sport because americans think that gymansts ends at 18 -22. It is not a hobby, it is a way of life!
CATHERINE'S STORY
I was born in 1975 in Arkansas. The younger sister of an promising Olympic-hopeful swimmer. I began as a swimmer. Due to respiratory disease, I was forced to seek out another sport. Out of convenience, my mom signed me up for gymnastics!