Rebekah Zaiser was born on February 2, 1988 in Pittsburgh, Pa. Rebekah is the daughter of Barry and Kim. She has two younger brothers, Aaron and Ben, who are also gymnasts. She began training at X-Cel Gymnastics at the age of five in 1993. By age of eleven, she had reached level ten. Rebekah trained at X-Cel her entire club career.

As a level 10 in 2000, Rebekah won all four events at the Regional Championships. Rebekah later competed at her first elite meet in 2000, the US Classic. In 2001, Rebekah continued competing as a junior international elite. At the US Classic in Ponoma she qualified to the US National Championships. At Nationals she barely missed the national team by placing 18th all-around. Rebekah had a great performance at the American Classic in 2002. Because of her all-around placement, Rebekah was added to the National Team. Before heading to Nationals, she competed at the US Classic. She placed sixteenth all-around. At Nationals, Rebekah could only compete on the first day due to an injury.

She continued to struggle with injuries throughout the next couple of years. She competed at the US Classic in 2003. In 2005, Rebekah started competing as a level 10. She made it all the way to JO Nationals. In 2006, Rebekah had the highest all-around score out of all level 10s at the Parkette Invite. She struggled during her freshman season because of sprains in both ankles during preseason training. She went on to win vault tiles against NC State and Boise State. She was named to the SEC Freshman Academic Honor Roll and as a NACGC All-American.

Rebekah had a great sophomore season. She was named as the SEC Scholar Athlete of the Year. She was the first Gator gymnast to earn this honor. She won beam against Arkansas. She was the lead-off beam performer in every meet. She also competed on bars in the first meet. She competed floor four times. She was a member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll and was also named an NACGC Scholastic All-American. Rebekah competed on on floor and beam during the season opener in 2009. On January 13, she broke her foot, ending her season. In 2010, she earned second-team All-American honors on beam. Rebekah won beam in a tri-meet against UNC and Ball State. She was a member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll.

Fast Facts Name: Rebekah Zaiser Birthday: February 2, 1988 Club: X-Cel College: Florida Florida

MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS Full Scholarship to Florida Two-Time US National Qualifier 2005: JO Nationals- 1st UB 2002: American Classic- 6th AA 1999: Level 9 States- 3rd AA

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Photos © Lloyd Smith