Katherine Zurales was born on October 23, 1990. She trained at Midwest Academy of Gymnastics until the gym merged with Phenom after the 2006 season. She graduated from high school in 2009.
In 2003, Katie competed level nine. She finished first all-around at the State Championships. She placed fifth on vault at Easterns. Katie moved up to level ten in 2004. She qualified to Regionals. In 2005, Katie finished fourth all-around at the Flytz Classic. She placed second all-around at the Bravo Classic and third all-around at the State Championships. She finished eighth all-around at Regionals. At JO Nationals, she finished 25th all-around. In 2006, Katie placed second all-around at Regionals. At JO Nationals, she placed third on vault, eighth on beam and ninth all-around.
Katie finished first on vault, beam and the all-around at the 2007 For Love or Money meet. She won vault, beam, floor and the all-around at the Midwest Open. At the State Championships, she won floor. Katie placed second on floor and third on vault at Regionals. At JO Nationals, she won vault! She finished third on floor and in the all-around, making the JO National Team. In 2008, Katie won all five gold medals at the Bravo Classic. She won floor at the For Love or Money meet. At the Gasparilla Classic, Katie won vault, bars, beam and the all-around. She won beam and floor at the State Championships where she also placed second all-around. At Regionals, Katie won bars and the all-around. She placed third all-around at JO Nationals. Katie missed the 2009 season due to injury.
As a freshman at Michigan, Katie competed on vault and beam throughout the season. She won her first collegiate title on beam against Penn State after scoring a 9.950. She also scored a 9.900 on vault at this meet. At the Big Team Championships, she finished second on beam. Katie was injured during her beam routine at Regionals. Academically, she was named a NACGC/W Scholastic All-American and earned a U-M Athletic Academic Achievement award.
Photos © UM Gym
