Shantessa Pama
Junior Elite from 2003-2006
Age Now: 20
Shantessa sat out the 2007 season due to injuries. She dropped back down to level 10 in 2008. Her plan was to compete at the level 10 states, regional's, and nationals. Then she wanted to try and qualify to elite again her senior year of highschool. Shantessa failed to qualify to the J.O. Nationals and decided to stay level 10 and train for college. She wanted to compete for UCLA, Georgia, or Standford. There were rumors of Marta Karolyi not liking her because she had boyfriends and did things she didn't like. Marta stopped inviting Shantessa to training camps. In an early 2007 interview, Shantessa said Marta was disappointed in her decisions. She decided to quit gymnastics to be a normal teenager... or so everyone thought. Although Shantessa never competed again, she continued to train up until 2010 when she officially quit. She later enrolled at a community college and starting coaching at Gym Max. During the summer of 2011, Shantessa mentioned making a comeback in the gym, but it never happened.
Then:
Now:
Bianca Flohr
Junior Elite from 2003- 2006
Senior Elite in 2007
Age Now: 20
Bianca missed the summer of 2007 because of a back injury. She dropped down to level 10 in 2008 to train for college. She received a full scholarship to the University of Michigan, but it was taken away after she failed to recover after a few years of being injured. She decided to retire in 2009. She now goes to Kent State, but she is not on the gymnastics team.
Then:
Now:
Jenna Rachels
Junior Elite in 2007
Age Now: 17
In late 2008 Jenna qualified to the US Classic, but had to withdraw due to injury. She dropped to level 10 in 2009 and had knee surgery in April. She is currently a level 10 a Gwinnetts Gymnastics and an 11th grader at Union Grove Highschool where she is a varsity cheerleader.
Then:
Now:
Kamerin Moore
Junior Elite 2007-2009
Age Now: 16
After competing in a few international meets in early 2009, Kamerin had to have shoulder surgery. While on the road to recovery she also had hip surgery in the beginning of 2010. (A non gymnastics related injury) After a rocky 2 year road to recovery Kamerin decided to retire from elite and focus on level 10 and earning a college scholarship. She is now attending public school as an 11th grader after being homeschooled her whole life. Kamerin watched her teammate Jordyn Wieber win the 2011 National Championships and later tweeted this: "Realized this weekend that I'd given up on the dream I've had since I was 6. I'm ready to work for it again. I want it more than anything <3" She later confirmed on her formspring that she was training to qualify to elite this year, but changed her mind and decided to stay at level 10. Just recently Kamerin verbally committed to the University of Nebraska.
Then:
Now:
Petra Matthies
Junior Elite 2006-2007
Age Now: 18
Petra competed in 1 meet as an elite in early 2007. She competed as a junior pre elite in 2008. She suffered from no injury's during her gymnastics career, it is said that she just burnt out. She graduated from Highschool in 2011 and is currently coaching at Exxcel Gymnastics.
Then:
Now:
Madison Turchin
Junior Elite in 2006
Age Now: 17
Madison placed 23rd all around at her first and only meet as an elite gymnast, the 2006 National Championsips. She retired shortly after to become captain of a highly competitive and well know cheer team, the Orlando All Stars. (The 2011 UDA National Champions)
Then:
Now:
(First one on the right in the front row)
Gabrielle Swart
Junior Elite 2006-2007
Age Now: 19
Gabrielle dropped down to level 10 in 2008 after switching to Brestyans Gymnastics. She attempted to qualify to senior elite in 2010 but just missed the cut. She committed to LSU but transferred to Maryland after the fall semester.
Then:
Now:
Click here to read part 2!
