Kayla Nowak was born on July 28, 1991. Her younger sister, Kendra, is also a gymnast. Kayla trained at Huntley Unlimited Gymnastics School through the 2006 season. She then moved to Illinois Gymnastics Institute. She graduated from high school in 2009.
In 2004, Kayla competed level eight. She won vault and finished third all-around at Regionals. She moved up to level nine in 2005. She won vault and the all-around at Regionals. Kayla placed fourth on bars and floor, sixth on beam and second all-around at Easterns. She moved up to level ten in 2006. She qualified to Regionals. In 2007, Kayla finished fourth on bars and floor at the Flips USA Invitational. She placed third on floor, fourth on vault, seventh on bars and ninth all-around at JO Nationals.
Kayla continued competing level ten in 2008. She finished third all-around at the Bravo Classic. She won vault, floor and the all-around at the Gasparilla Classic. Kayla finished firs ton bars, beam and the all-around at the Flip'r meet. At the State Championships, she finished second all-around. She placed second on floor at Regionals. In 2009, she won beam at the Battle of the Champions and floor at the Arena Classic. She finished third all-around and first on floor at Regionals. At JO Nationals, Kayla placed tenth on floor and ninth all-around.
As a freshman at Oklahoma, she had performances on all four events, but competed on beam and floor throughout the season with limited appearances on bars and once on vault.
Photos © Nowak
