Claire Michelle Hom was born on November 4, 1996 in Phoenix, Arizona to Gary and Paula Hom. Claire has an older sister, Carly, a swimmer. When Claire turned three, she took a few dance classes, but she had way too much of energy during that time. She was doing cartwheels in the dance class! Her parents decided to put Claire into gymnastics at the YMCA and she trained there until 2004. She is currently a level 10 gymnast at Desert Lights Gymnastics under Lisa Spini, Neela Nelson, Chris George, Bruce McGee, Bob Peterson and Janelle McDonald. She is working as a pre-elite gymnast with hopes of becoming an international elite gymnast. Claire's dream is to go to compete in college. She will graduate from high school in 2014.

Claire began competing for Desert Lights Gymnastics in 2004. Claire finished 24th in the all-around and fifth on floor exercise at the Level 5 State Championships. At the end of year in 2004, Claire was voted most improved gymnast as a level five by the USAG Arizona. In 2005, as a level six, Claire finished in top six in eight out of nine competitions. She finished her 2005 season at the Level 6 State Championships, where she tied for fourth in the all-around and won a bronze medal on floor exercise. As a level seven in 2006, Claire won a bronze medal on floor exercise at Flips Invitational. She then took another bronze medal on balance beam at the Winter Sun Invitational and Flagstaff Winter Classic. At the Level 7 State Championships, Claire finished ninth in the all-around and seventh on balance beam.

In 2007, Claire began her level eight season at the 2007 Crystal Cup, where she finished 18th in the all-around. She then placed ninth in the all-around and sixth on floor exercise at the Winter Sun Invitational. At the Fiesta Bowl Invitational, Claire finished fourth in the all-around, first on vault and third on balance beam. At the Level 8 State Championships, she finished sixth in the all-around and tied for second on balance beam. She also qualified to Level 8 Regionals in Santa Clara, California. There, she took home a bronze medal on balance beam!

Claire competed as a level nine and pre-elite hopes gymnast in 2008. She began her season at four different open invitationals, where she took home at least eight medals in total! At the Level 9 State Championships in Chandler, Arizona, she placed 11th in the all-around and tied for second on floor exercise. She successfully qualified to Level 9 Regionals, where she finished 14th in the all-around and third on balance beam. Claire was named as an alternate for the Level 9 Western Nationals. A few weeks after the Level 9 Regionals, Claire's gym, Desert Lights hosted an elite qualifier competition in end of April. She and some of her teammates successfully qualified to pre-elite hopes. In May, Claire and her teammates traveled to Houston, Texas for the US Challenge. There, Claire placed fourth on balance beam.

She moved up to level ten in 2009. She finished fourth on floor at the Winter Sun Invitational, San Diego Classic and Fiesta Bowl Invitational. At the State Championships, she finished third all-around. She also placed third on vault, bars and beam. She finished second on floor. At Regionals, she won floor. She placed ninth all-around. She qualified for the J.O. National Invitational Tournament but was not able to attend. A few weeks alter, she qualified to junior pre-elite. Claire competed at the US Challenge. In 2010, Claire struggled with a back injury. She competed on beam at the Fiesta Bowl Invitational, placing third. She competed in the all-around in late February at the Long Beach Open. She finished second on beam at the Malibu Coast Challenge. At the State Championships, Claire won bars. SHe placed third all-around. She ended her season at Regionals.

Fast Facts Name: Claire Hom Birthday: Nov. 4, 1996 Club: Desert Lights Level: 10 Official Website

MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS 2009: junior pre-elite 2008: US Challenge- 4th BB 2008: Alternate to L9 Westerns 2008: Level 9 Regionals- 3rd BB 2007: Level 8 Regionals- 3rd BB

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