Kerri Allison Strug was born in Tuscon, Arizona, on November 19, 1977. Kerri began gymnastics in 1982 because of her older sister Lisa. She trained with a local college in Arizona during her first years in gymnastics. She switched to Bela Karolyi in the early 1990s. After Bela retired in 1992, Kerri went to Dynamo with Steve Nunno after training at Brown's Houston. In 1994, Kerri moved back home to Arizona. She trained with Arthur Akoypan. Kerri moved to Colorado Aerials in 1995. By the end of 1995, she returned to Bela. She graduated from Stanford.
Kerri first became known on the gymnastics scene when she won the American Classic in Oakland, California. At the US Classic she finished second all-around. Those performances qualified her to the Junior Pacific Alliance team. At the Pacific Alliance Championships she finished third all-around. In 1990 Strug began training with the Karolyis. At the American Classic she finished first all-around. Later, at the National Championships she finished fourth all-around.
Also in 1990 she competed at the Pan Am Games and Dutch Open. She won the Pan Am Games and finished third all-around at the Dutch Open. Kerri began her 1991 season by placing sixth all-around in the prelims at the American Cup. Her next meet was a dual against Romania. She won the vault. At the National Championships Kerri placed third all-around and won vault. She continued her great performances at the World Team Trials to earn a spot on the team. At the World Championships Kerri helped the USA team finish second.
1992 was an important year for Kerri. She began by placing third all-around in the prelims at the American Cup. She then tied for 12th in the mixed pairs meet. Kerri then traveled to France for the World Championships. Kerri finished fifth on vault and seventh on bars. At the US National Championships she improved to second place and defended her vault title. At the Olympic Trials Kerri finished third all-around and made the Olympic Team. At the Olympic Games Kerri helped the team finish third.
In 1993 Kerri began competing for Dynamo. She started her season by placing 2nd all-around and winning beam at the American Cup. She then finished second at the mixed pairs meet. Kerri then won the American Classic. She followed that up with a second place finish at the US Olympic Festival. At the World Championships Kerri finished 5th on vault and 6th on floor. Kerri then placed third all-around at the National Championships. After nationals Kerri went to compete at many international meets. She placed seventh all-around at the Hilton Challenge and tenth all-around at the Swiss Cup. She then finished fourth all-around at the Arthur Gander Memorial. Kerri finished up her European Tour by placing seventh on bars at the DTB Pokal.
In 1994, Kerri had a major accident at the US Classic. This kept her out of the US National Championships. Kerri was back a few weeks later for the World Team Trials. She placed second all-around. At the World Championships Kerri helped the team to second place.
1995 went very well for Kerri. She started off by winning the US Olympic Festival. She then finished fifth all-around at the National Championships. Kerri finished up her domestic competitions by placing fourth all-around at the World Team Trials. At the World Championships Kerri finished seventh all-around and helped the team place third.
Kerri took her first major international win in 1996. She won the American Cup title in the all-around. She then took fourth in the mixed pairs competition. Kerri then finished fifth all-around at the National Championships and second at the Olympic Trials. At the Olympic Games Kerri and the USA team were performing very well and were leading the competition. On their final event, vault, disaster struck as Dominque Moceanu fell on both her landings. Next up Kerri fell on her first vault and heard a pop. She was able to shake it out and land her second vault before collapsing on the mat. Kerri saved the USA team and forever is a nation's hero.
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Fast Facts
 Name: Kerri Strug
Birthday: November 19, 1977
Club: Karolyi's
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MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS
Seven Time US National Team Member
1996: olympic Champion
1996: Olympic Trials- 2nd AA
1996: American Cup Champion
1995: US Olympic Festival Champion
1994: World Trials- 2nd AA
1992: Olympic Games- 3rd TM
1991: World Championships- 2nd TM
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