Leah Spankowski was born on June 21, 1996 in Hefei, China. She was adopted when she was 15 months old. She trains at LaFleur's Gymnastics in Wisconsin. She will graduate from high school in 2014.
In 2008, Leah competed level eight. She finished first on bars and beam at the State Championships. She placed second all-around. She competed at Regionals. As a level 9 gymnast in 2009, she won the all-around title at the Wisconsin Dells Vacation Classic. She placed first on balance beam at the Daytona Beach Open and fifth in the all around. At the Harley Invitational, she placed second on balance beam, floor exercise and in the all-around. At the OGC Invitational and Wisconsin State Championships Leah placed second in the all-around. At the Level 9 Regionals, she placed first on balance beam and fourth in the all-around. She qualified to the Level 9 Western Nationals where she finished fifth on balance beam.
Leah moved up to level 10 in 2010. She placed sixth in the all-around at the Midwest Challenge and eighth in the all-around Lady Luck Invitational. At the Circle of Stars, she placed first on balance beam and floor exercise as well as second in the all-around. She did well at the Level 10 State Championships where she won gold medals on vault and uneven bars and a silver medal in the all-around. She concluded her 2010 season at the Level 10 Regionals.
In 2011, Leah started her season at the Circle of Stars and placed sixth overall. At the Level 10 State Championships, she placed third on balance beam and eighth in the all-around. At the Level 10 Regionals, Leah finished third on balance beam as well as fourth on floor exercise and in the all-around. She qualified to her first Junior Olympic National Championships in Long Beach.
Photos © Spankowski Family
