Noel Couch was born on August 27, 1991, in Holy Name Hospital, Teaneck, New Jersey. Noel now resides with her mother, father, and younger sister in Montville Township, New Jersey. She began gymnastics shortly before she turned two at North Stars because her parents wanted her to be involved in an activity. She has been at North States since then. She began competing at the age of eight. In 2002, she competed as a level eight. She finished second all-around and first on floor at the State Championships. At Regionals, she finished seventh all-around and second on floor.

In 2003, Noel competed as a level nine. She competed at States and Regionals. She moved up to level ten in 2004. Noel finished third all-around at the California Classic. She finished tenth at states and in the top twenty at Regionals. She continued competing as a level ten in 2005. She finished second all-around and first on vault at Regionals. This qualified her for the JO National Championships. At JO Nationals, she finished seventh all-around. Noel also finished sixth on vault and third on bars. She competed at the US Challenge as a junior pre-elite.

Noel qualified for junior international elite in 2006. She competed at the US Classic. She decided to drop down to level ten for the 2007 season. At the Parkette Invitational, she won floor. She finished second all-around at States despite a fall on beam. She won the floor title. She finished second all-around at Regionals. She won bars and floor. Her performance qualified her for her second trip to the JO National Championships. At the JO National Championships, she finished ninth all-around.

Noel continued to produce great results in 2008. She won beam at the prestigious Parkette Invitational. She finished second all-around at States by .05. She finished second on vault and bars. She won beam and floor, setting state records on both events. At Regionals, Noel again placed second all-around by .05. She won vault. She finished third on bars and second on beam. At JO Nationals, she finished twelfth all-around. She won beam. She signed with the University of Georgia in the fall of 2008!

Her final year as a club gymnast was in 2009. She finished second on vault, beam and floor at the Brestyan Invitational. She won bars and the all-around. At the Parkettes Invitational, she won beam and placed second all-around. Noel won bars, beam and the all-around at the IGI Chicago Style. She finished third on bars. At the Glider Invitational, she finished second on vault, bars, beam and the all-around. She won floor. Noel won the all-around at the State Championships. She finished second on vault, bars and beam. At Regionals, Noel finished second all-around. She won vault and bars. At JO Nationals, she won the all-around title! She also won floor. She finished fourth on bars and beam.

Fast Facts Name: Noel Couch Birthday: Aug. 27, 1991 Club: North Stars College: Georgia

MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS Full Scholarship to Georgia 2009: JO National Champion 2008: JO National Beam Champion 2006: US Classic Particpant 2005: JO Nationals- 7th AA 2005: US Challenge 2005: L10 Regionals- 2nd AA

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Photos © MJ Lawler & Michelle Banom