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Women's Artistic Gymnastics
By Scott Bregman
Despite all that Jordyn Wieber has accomplished in the last 12 months, it's hard to call 2011 a breakout year for the first-year senior competitor. The recently crowned U.S. senior women's all-around, uneven bars and floor exercise champion, Wieber also won the 2011 AT&T American Cup earlier this year, upsetting the reigning World All-Around Champion, Russia's Aliya Mustafina.
This DeWitt, Michigan, native has been competing at the highest level of gymnastics – international elite – since 2006, when she competed in her first Visa Championships as an 11 year old. For comparison, 2008 Olympic gold medalist Nastia Liukin was 13 at her first championships in 2002.
Since 2006, Wieber, who trains at Gedderts' Twistars USA under John and Kathryn Geddert, has gone on to claim a junior national title, a senior national title, and two American Cup titles, gaining the experience of being in a competitive field with World all-around champions Bridget Sloan in 2009 and Mustafina in 2011.
Now, the powerhouse has developed routines across all four events that make her an incredible asset to Team USA. Her Amanar vault – a two-and-a-half-twisting Yurchenko - is valued at 6.5, which will give the Americans two such vaults. Along with McKayla Maroney, Wieber helps compliment the ability of reigning world vault champion, Alicia Sacramone.
Despite her individual success this season and Karolyi's expectation that she will be fighting for an individual all-around medal, Wieber says her main focus in Tokyo, site of the World Championships, is on bringing home the team gold medal.
"I was really excited and honored to be named to the team. I'm ready to go out and represent the USA the best I can and contribute to the team," the reigning U.S. national champion said. "First and foremost, my goal is the team. Then, I'll focus on my individual placements."
Described as stoic and humble by coach John Geddert, moments after taking her first senior national title Wieber told USA Gymnastics her most important goal for the Visa Championships was 'to have fun.'
She is a normal teenage girl, who attends public high school and has three siblings: Lindsay, 24, who is a medical student at Michigan State University; Ryan, 16, who plays high school football; and Kyra, 12, a soccer player.
Her family, who has been there with her every step of the way, is her support team, her biggest cheerleaders and fans that she takes with her to, what is for her, just another competition she wants to enjoy.
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David and Rita Wieber started their daughter in gymnastics when she was four years old. The couple thought she looked like a gymnast and were amazed by how long she could balance on one foot. Twelve years later in Saint Paul, Minn., less than one year out from the 2012 Olympic Games in London, the proud parents watched as their daughter sailed to her first senior national championship title.
"Jordyn is definitely an extremely strong gymnast," National Team Coordinator Martha Karolyi said. "We have great expectations for her. She is ready and very ambitious."
