Michelle Goodwin (USA)
Tribute courtesy of Larry Fewell

Photo used with the expressed permission of Tom Theobald

1981 U.S. Championships: 3rd AA
1981 World Championships: 6th T, 35th AA (prelims)
1982 U.S. Championships: 5th AA, 2nd FX
1982 USA vs USSR: 3rd AA
1982 World Cup: 12th AA, 7th UB
1983 U.S. Championships: 6th AA, 3rd BB, 3rd FX
1984 U.S. Championships: 17th AA, 6th BB
1984 U.S. Olympic Trials: 21st AA

Compiled from information at Gymn Forum

Michelle took the 1981 U.S. Nationals - one of her first major elite competitions - by storm, claiming the bronze medal and asserting herself as a major player for the US gymnastics team. She showed great form, expressive dance and world class difficulty on bars and beam. She was praised on the European circuit; according to a 1982 issue of International Gymnast magazine, a Hungarian reporter wrote that her floor exercise featured "the best triple twist seen in Europe." Consistently in the top 5 at nationals over the next few years, Michelle seemed a sure bet for the 84 Olympic team. In 1982, People magazine (March 24 issue) even published a story about her, and CBS followed it up with a feature about her in their 30 minutes broadcast.

Sadly, at the 1984 Olympic Trials, Michelle performed poorly and finished a disappointing 21st AA. She quite elite gymnastics rather abruptly, accepting a scholarship from the University of Florida. The change did not revive Michelle's gymnastics - she performed poorly and a year or two later transferred (reportedly in the interest of her college major) to a Division 2 school, Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Michelle enjoyed tremendous success at her new university, becoming a star. She led the school to a Division 2 team title, becoming the Division 2 champion herself. Because of this, she was able to compete at the Division 1 nationals where she beat all of her former University of Florida teammates. Michelle is thought to be married and living in Wisconsin.

. This page was created on August 28, 1999 and last updated on December 18, 1999.
     
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