Kari Cecille Muth was born on December 31, 1982. She is the daughter of Ron and Nita Muth. Kari married Emerson Ward, a former ASU swimmer, in 2007. She has one brother Rob, sister-in-law, Lindsey and nephew Otto. Emerson and Kari live in Gilbert, AZ with their 2 dogs Joey and Katie.

Kari began gymnastics at the age of two. She trained at American Gymnastics "Starfires" from 1984 to 1992. When the gym closed, she moved to Desert Lights Gymnastics in Chandler, Arizona, where she was coached by Lisa Spini and Neela Nelson. She trained at Desert Lights the remainder of her club career.

At the age of seven, Kari was her first Arizona State Balance Beam title. She won this title every year and at every junior olympic level. As a level ten, she won the regional beam title. When she was eight, Kari was a balance beam demonstrator for the USAG National Convention. She was a member of the National TOPs Team in 1993. As a level ten, Kari competed at the JO National Championships in 1992 and 1993. She then advanced to the national elite level. After having a titanium rod inserted into her shin at the age of sixteen, she focused on attaining a college scholarship.

In the fall of 2001, Kari began attending Arizona State University on a full athletic scholarship. During her first three years, Kari competed on bars, beam and floor. She began competing in the all-around as a senior, vaulting for the first time on the new table. She competed in every meet and won seventeen individual titles. She scored two 10.0s in 2004: one on beam and one on floor. Kari graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2005 with a degree in finance. She was an Academic All-American three times and won the Sparky Award for Academic Athlete of the Year in 2004.

Following graduation, Kari played the role of Devon in the movie Stick it. She returned to school in 2007 to pursue a certificate in dietetics. Kari became the Assistant Gymnastics Coach in 2009 at Arizona State. Besides coaching beam and floor, other duties include recruiting, office management, travel and choreography.

Fast Facts Name: Kari Muth Ward Birthday: December 31, 1982 Club: Desert Lights College: ASU ASU

MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS Full scholarship to ASU 2009: ASU Assitant Coach 2005: Stick It Movie (Devon) 2004: 2 Perfect 10's

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Photos © Lloyd Smith