Samantha Nicole Cortex was born on August 5, 1986. She is the only child of Hector and Victoria Cortez. They live in Verona, New Jersey. Samantha attended Mt. St. Dominic Academy for high school. She graduated in 2004. During her club career, she trained at North Stars under Tony Gehman. She began gymnastics as a recreational gymnast but soon received an invitation for the pre-team in 1993. She began competing as a level five in 1994.

In 1995, Samantha made the TOPs National Team. She made it again in 1997. By 1998, she was competing as a level nine. She finished third on floor at Easterns. After the level nine season, she qualified to TOPS elite. She competed at the American Challenge. In 1999, Samantha competed as a junior national elite. She was named to the junior national elite training squad. In 2001, Samantha competed as a level ten. She finished first all-around at States! At Regionals, she finished fifth all-around. Her final meet of the season was the JO National Championships.

Samantha continued competing as a level ten in 2002. She finished second all-around at States. At JO Nationals, she won the uneven bars title! She finished third all-around. This earned her a spot on the JO National Team. At the 2003 Level 10 State Championships, she only competed on bars. Samantha petitioned to Regionals. She finished in the top seven to qualify for the JO National Championships. Samantha won a bronze medal in the all-around at the 2004 Level Ten State Championships.

At the University of Arkansas, Samantha began her career as an all-arounder. She was a mainstay in the vault lineup. During her sophomore year, she had an up-and-down season. Samantha began the year on vault. She also competed on beam and floor. She made an all-around appearance near the end of the season. A shoulder injury limited her. As a junior, she competed in every competition. She was a vault, beam and floor specialist. She earned her second selection to the SEC Academic Honor Roll. Samantha returned to all-around action her senior year. She competed in the all-around the first nine meets of the season. The last five she did not compete on bars. Samantha finished second on floor at the NCAA Regional Championships. She placed third all-around against Georgia. She won vault against Auburn. Other top finishes include second on vault and third on beam against Penn State. She finished third on floor against Auburn and second against Oklahoma.

Fast Facts Name: Samantha Cortez Birthday: August 5, 1986 Club: North Stars College: Arkansas Arkansas

MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS Full Scholarship to U of Arkansas 2003: JO National Qualifier 2002: JO Nationals- 3rd AA, 1st UB 2001: Level 10 State Champion 1999: National Elite Training Squad 1998: Level 9 Easterns- 3rd FX 1995, 1997: TOP National Team

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