Samantha Peszek was a member of the World team in 2007, but played a specialist role on the vault. In 2008, she made a case for herself as a strong all-arounder, placing third (behind teammates Nastia Liukin and Shawn Johnson) at the American Cup, then earning fourth in the all-around at both the US Nationals and Olympic Trials.
She earned a spot on the 2008 Olympic team, but had an unlucky ankle injury minutes before the competition, sidelining her on every event except uneven bars.
She earned a spot on the 2008 Olympic team, but had an unlucky ankle injury minutes before the competition, sidelining her on every event except uneven bars.
Cool Skills:
Peszek does some very risky gymnastics. On floor, she performs a tucked double-double (two flips with two twists), and has done a tricky back 1.5 twist to double pike. Peszek also throws a standing full to immediate back pike (at 1:30) on balance beam.
A Family Connection:
Peszek's mother, Luan, was a gymnast at the University of Illinois, and is now the Director of Publications for USA Gymnastics. Because of this, Peszek got to go to many elite meets as a child and learned all about the sport. Now that Peszek has reached the big leagues herself, Luan's position has made it possible for her to attend most of her daughter's competitions.
Peszek says, “My mom tells me that it’s easy for her to watch me while she’s working, but everyone tells me that she’s sitting there all nervous! Sometimes I think she just has to stop what she’s doing and just be a mom when I go.”
Peszek says, “My mom tells me that it’s easy for her to watch me while she’s working, but everyone tells me that she’s sitting there all nervous! Sometimes I think she just has to stop what she’s doing and just be a mom when I go.”
Vaulting onto the US Squad:
Peszek's powerful Yurchenko double vault has helped her secure a spot on more than one USA team. Originally named the alternate to the 2007 World team, she became the lead-off vaulter after strong performances in practice, and helped the US win its second-ever World team gold.
Peszek's spot on the 2008 US Olympic team can also be attributed in part to her strength on the vault. With Shawn Johnson and Alicia Sacramone filling two of the three vault spots necessary for the Olympic team finals, the US was in need of a third score on that event. Peszek fit the bill well, but unfortunately was injured and never got to vault at the Olympics.
An Increasingly-Reliable Competitor:
As a young gymnast, Peszek was often plagued with inconsistency in big meets, but lately she's proven that she can be depended on when it counts. She hit 15 out of 16 routines at the US Nationals and Olympic Trials -- and only missed one tumbling pass: the brand-new combination mentioned earlier.
National team coordinator Martha Karolyi even praised her reliability after the team was named, saying, "I am so pleased because some years ago, we looked at [Peszek] like a very solid gymnast who wasn't always very focused. But she became one of the most consistent gymnasts. She is a very positive element on the US team."
National team coordinator Martha Karolyi even praised her reliability after the team was named, saying, "I am so pleased because some years ago, we looked at [Peszek] like a very solid gymnast who wasn't always very focused. But she became one of the most consistent gymnasts. She is a very positive element on the US team."
Personal Info:
Born on December 14, 1991 in McCordsville, IN, Peszek is the oldest daughter of Ed and Luan Peszek. Her younger sister Jessica is a level nine gymnast. Peszek just completed her sophomore year at Cathedral High School, where her favorite subject is English.
Peszek trains at Sharp's Gymnastics with 2008 Olympic teammate Bridget Sloan.
Peszek trains at Sharp's Gymnastics with 2008 Olympic teammate Bridget Sloan.
Gymnastics Results:
International:
Next:
Top 2008 American Olympic Gymnasts
Top 2008 Contenders Worldwide
Go to the 2008 Olympics Main Page
- 2008 Olympics: 2nd team
- 2008 Tyson American Cup: 3rd all-around
- 2007 World Championships: 1st team
- 2007 Pan American Games: 1st team
- 2006 Junior Pan American Games: 1st team; 4th all-around; 2nd vault; 1st floor
- 2006 International Gymnix: 1st all-around; 1st vault; 3rd bars; 1st beam;
- 2008 US Olympic Trials: 4th all-around; 4th vault; 4th beam; 2nd floor (tie with Nastia Liukin and Chellsie Memmel)
- 2008 Visa Championships (US Nationals): 4th all-around; 5th beam
- 2007 Visa Championships (US Nationals): 7th all-around
- 2006 Visa Championships (US Nationals – Jr. Division): 3rd all-around; 2nd vault; 3rd bars; 5th floor
- 2006 US Classic: 2nd all-around; 1st vault; 4th bars; 2nd beam; 1st floor
- 2005 Visa Championships (US Nationals – Jr. Division): 7th all-around; 1st vault; 2nd floor
- 2005 US Classic: 8th all-around; 2nd vault; 3rd floor
- 2004 Visa Championships (US Nationals – Jr. Division): 8th all-around; 3rd vault
Next:
Top 2008 American Olympic Gymnasts
Top 2008 Contenders Worldwide
Go to the 2008 Olympics Main Page
