Fomer Elite Gymnasts- Where'd They Go? (Part 2)

Ashley Stott
Junior Elite from 2006-2007
Senior Elite from 2008-2009
Age Now: 19

 2008 was Ashley's first year as a senior and she surprised many people when she won the all around and beam gold at the US Classic. At her first senior nationals she admitted to being nervous and didn't do as well as she had planned. She failed to make it on the national team and did not advance onto the Olympic Trials. In an interview shortly after the 2008 Olympics she said her goal was to get back on the national team and make the 2012 Olympic team. In the beginning of 2009, Ashley moved from SCEGA to Precision Gymnastics and won the American Classic. That was the last meet she ever competed in. She said she "decided to take a break from gymnastics" and was "leaving the door open to return to gymnastics in the future." But she never did. She graduated from High school in 2011 and was on the varsity cheerleading team. Nobody knows exactly why Ashley retired. But there were rumors that she was having problems with her coaches and possibly just burnt out. Ashley is currently attending college at San Diego State and is on the diving team.

    Then:

                                                                  (Photo Credit: Ruth Judion)

Now:

(Photo Credit: Ashley Stott)

Nailya Mustafina

Junior Elite from 2008-2011

Senior Elite in 2012

Age Now: 16

In 2008, Nailya seemed to have a bright future and put herself on the list as one to watch in 2012. But unfortunately she has been plagued with injuries throughout her career. In early 2009 Nailya broke her femur when she fell off bars. She returned to competition in 2010, but her gymnastics has never been quite the same. While recovering she went through puberty and has since struggled with her new body. In a 2010 interview with Nailya's father, he made it clear that she was serious about "winning the Olympics." Since returning to competition, Nailya has competed in very few meets and is not on the 2011 Russian National Team.

                   Then: (Nailya is on the left)                         

(Photo Credit: jeunes.lanouvelle.net)

Now:

(Photo Credit: FIG Sports Center)

Jana Bieger

Junior Elite from 2001-2004

Senior Elite from 2005-2009

Age Now: 22

After being named as an alternate to the 2008 Olympic team, Jana continued to train and competed at the US classic and National Championships in 2009. She made it to the final selection process for the 2009 Worlds team but was not chosen.  Instead she received a world cup assignment in Croatia, she decided to retired shortly after. Although she has officially retired, Jana is still somewhat involved in the sport. She made an appearance at the 2011 Gymnastics Evolution competition and could possibly be coaching at her parents gym.

Then:

(Photo Credit: Inside Gymnastics)

Now:

(Photo Credit: Jana Bieger)

Monica Shoji  
Junior Elite 2004-2005
Age Now: 21


 In 2005 Monica moved to Cincinnati Gymnastics to train under coach Mary Lee Tracy. She started off the season great by finishing 2nd All Around and 1st on floor at the US Classic. She then went on the place 4th at Nationals and make the junior national team! In early 2006, Monica tore her Achilles tendon and made the decision to retire from elite gymnastics. Shortly after, she signed with Yale University but was forced to sit out her freshman year due to some shoulder injuries, as well as still trying to recover from her torn Achilles. During the 2010 season, Monica competed only on balance beam. Today Monica is a senior at Yale University but is not on the 2012 gymnastics roster

Then:

(Photo Credit: Girls With Muscle)

Now:

(Photo Credit: Yale Bulldogs)

Desi Borgese

Junior Elite from 2008-2010

Age Now: 15

Although she is still young, and has a long future ahead of her, Desi has decided to drop down to level 10. There have been rumors that Desi quit gymnastics but she claims that not true and says "If I hated it, I would stop." She said a while ago that someday she'd like to compete in college gymnastics, and if she could compete for any college it would be Stanford.

Then:

(Photo Credit: Heather Maynez)

Now:

(Photo Credit: USA Gymnastics)

If you haven't seen part 1 yet, click here!

And part 3 can be found here!

Also, if you'd like to suggest an athlete to appear in our next "Where Did They Go" segment, leave us a comment or email us from our contact page and you just may see them in our next post!

*We will try our best to do all your requests. But understand, that some athletes are almost impossible to find out information on!