Katie Heenan

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Katherine Elaine Heenan, known as Katie, was born November 26, 1985 in Indianapolis, Indiana [1]to John and Lisa Heenan. She was a 7 time U.S. National gymnast and currently competes for the Georgia Gymdogs.

Katie began gymnastics as a toddler and quickly rose to the elite level in 1997 at the age of 11. She competed in her first national championships in 1998 and placed sixth on beam in the junior division. She sat out the 1999 season due to an injury, but came back in 2000 to place fourth on bars and ninth in the all around at the junior national U.S. Championships.

Katie burst into the senior elite spotlight by coming in fourth in the all around and first on bars at U.S. Classic. At the U.S. National Championships, she continued her success by placing sixth in the all around and first on bars. Katie earned a spot on the 2001 U.S. world championship team and helped the team earn a bronze medal, the first medal since 1995. She then went on to earn a bronze medal on bars, ending the individual medal drought for the U.S.

A string of injuries hampered her in 2002 and 2003. She did manage to compete in the 2003 nationals, coming in 7th place, however injuries kept her out of the international scene.

In 2004, she became the American Classic Champion, won gold with her team and on bars at the Pacific Alliance Championships, and competed at the 2004 Olympic Trials. An injury during the trials prevented her from finishing but she was asked to become the athlete representative at the final Olympic selection camp.

Katie received a full scholarship with the University of Georgia Gymdogs. During her freshman year she stood out as a great all arounder and won the NCAA national championship with her team.