Taylor Marie Houchin was born on February 13, 1998 in Springfield, Missouri. Taylor trains at Gold Medal Gymnastics with Cash and Sara McGowen.

As a level 5 in 2006, Taylor finished second in the all-around, first on uneven bars and floor exercise at the Winter Invitational. At the Level 5 State Championships, she won the all-around title. She then moved up to level 6 in 2007. Taylor finished second in the all-around at the Gymquarters Invitational. At the Level 6 State Championships, Taylor placed seventh in the all-around and fifth on vault and uneven bars.

In 2008 as a level 7, Taylor made the Judges Cup National Team. She placed fifth in the all-around and first on uneven bars at the National Judges Cup. At the IGI Chicago Style, Taylor finished third in the all-around, first on uneven bars and second on balance beam.

She moved up to level 8 in 2009. She began her season at the Rising Stars, where she tied for the second place in the all-around. She also placed first on vault and floor exercise as well as second on uneven bars. She then traveled to WOGA Classic in Plano, Texas. There, she placed fifth in the all-around. At the Missouri Winter Games, Taylor took a bronze medal in the all-around and two more medals on vault and uneven bars. Taylor then traveled to St. Louis, Missouri for the St. Louis Classic. She placed third in the all-around, second on vault and first on floor exercise. Taylor then won the all-around title with a 37.750 at the Gymquarters Invitational. She also took home two gold and one silver medals on vault, uneven bars and floor exercise. At the Level 8 State Championships in Columbia, Missouri, Taylor finished fourth in the all-around and first on balance beam. There, she qualified to the Level 8 Regional Championships after making the Region IV Super 8 Team. At the Regional Championships, Taylor placed seventh in the all-around, third on floor exercise and second on vault and uneven bars.

Taylor started her 2009-2010 season at the Winter Invitational, where she won the all-around title as well as first on balance beam and floor exercise. At the Blues & BBQ Invitational, she finished first in the all-around and first on uneven bars and floor exercise. Taylor then placed second on everything except for vault where she won the gold medal at the Eagles Invitational in Kansas City, Missouri. Taylor continued to dominate where she won three gold medals including the all-around at the Level 9 State Championships. She also won a silver medal on balance beam. At the Level 9 Regional Championships, Taylor once again won the all-around title as well as three more medals on vault (silver), uneven bars (bronze) and balance beam (gold). At the end of April, Taylor traveled to Des Moines, Iowa for the Level 9 Western Nationals where she finished 13th overall. She brought home a gold medal on vault scoring a 9.500.

In 2011, Taylor started her level 10 season at the Santa Invitational where she placed third in the all-around and first on balance beam. At the Metroplex Challenge in Dallas, Texas, she placed 11th overall and fifth on balance beam. Taylor then placed first on balance beam and fourth in the all-around at the Gateway Challege. At the WOGA Classic, she finished ninth overall as well as third on floor exercise. At the end of March, she earned a silver medal in the all-aroud and a gold medal on uneven bars at the Level 10 State Championships. At the Level 10 Regionals, Taylor won three bronze medals on balance beam, floor exercise and in the all-around. There, she qualified to the Junior Olympic Nationals in Long Beach, California where she finished impressive 10th in the all-around and third on balance beam out of 57 gymnasts!

Fast Facts Name: Taylor Houchin Birthday: Feb. 13, 1998 Club: Gold Medal Level: 10 Official Website

MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS 2011: JO Nationals- 9th AA, 3rd BB 2010: L9 Westerns- 1st VT 2010: L9 State & Regional Champion 2009: L8 Regionals- 2nd VT, UB 2009: L8 States- 1st BB 2008: National Judges Cup Team 2006: L5 State Champion

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