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Terin has trained at the same gym in Missouri since she was nine years old.
The Great American Gymnastics Express or GAGE is "like my second home," says
Terin. After spending each weekday morning taking classes at Odessa
Highschool, she makes the journey to the GAGE gym for a six hour workout
under the guidance of coaches, Al Fong and Armine Barutyan-Fong. Although her school friends sometimes
find it difficult to understand the commitment that Terin puts into her
training, she would not have it any other way. Her philosophy is simple.
Training "is an important part of my life. To become a good gymnast, you have
to take it one day at a time. You take it one practice, one routine, one day
at a time. You work hard, on your mental and physical preparation, and you
keep working until you reach your goal." For Terin that goal is to be a
member of the 2004 US Olympic team. "I want to do a lot of things, but that's
my goal. That's what I'm working toward." Athens may be more than two years
away, but Terin's journey to realising her Olympic dream is already well
underway. It is a journey that has already seen her scale the heights of
national and international gymnastics success.
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Terin's rise to the top of US gymnastics began in earnest during
her 'breakthrough' season in 1999. That summer at the age of 12, she placed
third all around at the Junior Olympic National Championships in the age 9-12
division. A month later she easily passed the test to qualify as an elite
gymnast and started competing in elite meets soon after. At her first ever US
Nationals in Sacramento, she placed 13th all around and 4th on the uneven
bars, in the process claiming a sport on the prestigious Junior US National
Team. Her strong Nationals performance also earned her an invitation to the
seven-day training camp at Bart Conner Gymnastics Academy in Norman, where
she trained together with top junior gymnasts from the United States and
France. The training camp culminated in a dual meet between the two countries
held at the University of Oklahoma. Competing in her first international
competition, Terin placed fourth in the all-around competition and was second
on vault. She also helped her team to the sliver medal! Terin was fast
becoming a popular athlete amongst gymnastics experts and fans alike!
Terin didn't start her 2000 competition season until February, when she
competed at the American Classic. The top fourteen gymnasts from this meet
qualified to the Nationals and sadly Terin wasn't one of them finishing 24th
in the all around. The meet didn't go as she had planned but this did not
deter Terin. She returned home and started trained harder than ever. By the
US Classic, held later in the year, Terin emerged as one of the best junior
gymnasts in the United States with a 5th place finish in the all around. She
was on her way to her second US Nationals! The event was like a dream come
true for Terin! Her goal as she prepared for the competition was a top-five
finish. She never dreamed that she would come home with the silver medal in
the all around competition as well as a bronze on floor. To this day it
remains as one of her career highlights. "It's been an unforgetable
experience!"
National and international success has continued to come for Terin since
those breakthrough USA Championships in 2000. She is now one of the most
experienced members of the Senior US National team and are regular face at
many major international and national events. Late in 2002, one of Terin's
dreams was realised when she was selected as one of four gymnasts to
represent the United States at the 2002 World Championships!
In the future her goals are going to the Olympics and compete
Internationally. To achieve her goals, she will work hard and take it one
step at a time.
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Although Terin is already a star in gymnastics world, earning herself fans
wherever she competes, she is like most other American teenagers. Despite
spending more than 37 hours a week at the gym, she still manages to fit in
morning classes at Odessa High School. She is a country music fan listing
Garth Brooks as one of her favorite musicians, though she does not have one
single favorite song! She enjoys reading mystery novels and watching the
American sitcoms Two Guys and a Girl and The Drew Carey Show. When it comes
to her favorite food, Terin just can't go past the "macaroni stuff that mom
makes" and says that mint choc chip is her favorite flavor of ice-cream!
Terin's list of hero's contains individuals from many different backgronds,
from actor Bruce Willis to 2000 Olympic gymnast Elise Ray and finally her
parents Stephen and Lisa. In her spare time she enjoys swimming, shopping,
doing other sports and also spending time with her numerous pets! The
Humphrey family home might be mistaken for a zoo. Joining Stephen, Lisa,
Terin and Shannon are a cat, a dog, a cow and two horses. Perhaps this might explain why amongst other careers, Terin is
considering becoming a veternarian in later life. She can also see a future
for herself as a 3rd grade teacher, gymnastic coach or in aiding the elderly
and sick. When asked what wish she would want granted, if she could ask for
anything, Terin said she that she would wish for there to be nothing wrong
with the world, no murder, hunger etc and also for the safetly of her family.
Beyond the chalk, Terin is just an ordinary American kid! An ordinary
American teenager who happens to have an extraordinary talent for the sport
of gymnastics.
| Quick Fact | Terin's Answer |
| Full Name: | Terin Marie Humphrey |
| Birthday: | August 14, 1986 |
| Age: | 17 |
| Astrological Sign: | Leo |
| Hometown: | Albany, Missouri |
| Country of Residence: | United States of America |
| Name Meaning: | Pure |
| Nicknames: | Sis, Little Scoob
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| School: | University of Alabama
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| Grade: | Freshman (Fall 2004) |
| Parents: | Steve, Lisa
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| Brother: | Shannon |
| Magazine Mentions: | International Gymnast, Technique, Inside Gymnastics |
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