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Samantha Peszek (2008 Gymnastics Hopeful)

Welcome to our Focus on the Olympics articles that introduces you to our Olympic athletes and hopefuls that will be competing in Beijing this summer. Samantha volunteers in her free time with Jireh Sports, a sports ministry for at-risk youth. Samantha

Meet Samanatha Peszek

Samantha is the oldest daughter of Ed, a Regional Vice President, and Luan, publications director at USA Gymnastics. She has one younger sister, Jessica, who is a Level 9 gymnast. Samantha is a high honor roll student and was a member of USA Gymnastics’ Talent Opportunity Program (TOP) National Team. Samantha’s parents were athletes at the University of Illinois – her mother was a gymnast and her father was a wrestler and hockey player. Samantha was named the 2007 TOPs Athlete of the Year. Samantha’s hobbies include boating, movies, drawing and hanging out with her friends.

Why Root for Her?

Samantha has made a name for herself as one of the nation’s top gymnasts. She placed an impressive second in the all-around at the 2004 Junior Olympic National Championships at age 12. Weeks later, she went on to qualify for the Visa Championships where she placed third on vault and eighth in the all-around, becoming the youngest member of the 2004 U.S. National Team. In 2005, Samantha earned a spot on her second U.S. National Team and became the national champion on vault. She also placed seventh in the all-around and second on floor.

At the 2006 Visa Championships, Samantha won the all-around bronze medal as well as the silver medal on vault and the bronze medal on bars. This year marked her first year competing at the senior elite level. If she were to qualify for the Olympic Games in Beijing, she will be the required minimum age of 16.

Performance Record

  • 2007 FIG World Championships team gold medalist
  • 2007 Pan American Games team gold medalist
  • 2007 Tyson American Cup vault gold medalist, all-around fifth place
  • 2006 Visa Championships vault silver medalist, all-around & uneven bars bronze medalist (Jr. Div.)
  • 2006 U.S. Classic floor exercise & vault champion, all-around & balance beam silver medalist (Jr. Div.)
  • 2005 Visa Championships vault gold medalist, floor exercise silver medalist (Jr. Div.)

The U.S. Gymnastics Team trials take place in June 19 to June 22 in Philadelphia, PA.

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About Heather Long

Heather Long is 35 years old and currently lives in Wylie, Texas. She has been a freelance writer for six years. Her husband and she met while working together at America Online over ten years ago. They have a beautiful daughter who just turned five years old. She is learning to read and preparing for kindergarten in the fall. An author of more than 300 articles and 500+ web copy pieces, Heather has also written three books as a ghostwriter. Empty Canoe Publishing accepted a novel of her own. A former horse breeder, Heather used to get most of her exercise outside. In late 2004, early 2005 Heather started studying fitness full time in order to get herself back into shape. Heather worked with a personal trainer for six months and works out regularly. She enjoys shaking up her routine and checking out new exercises. Her current favorites are the treadmill (she walks up to 90 minutes daily) and doing yoga for stretching. She also performs strength training two to three times a week. Her goals include performing in a marathon such as the Walk for Breast Cancer Awareness or Team in Training for Lymphoma research. She enjoys sharing her knowledge and experience through the fitness and marriage blogs.