The 1987 senior US National Champion and one of the American team's strongest and most visible competitors in the mid-1980s, Phillips was considered to be one of the front-runners for the 1988 US Olympic team.
21 Facts About Kristie Phillips
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Kristie Phillips went on to participate in competitive cheerleading in college and has since enjoyed successful careers as an actress, stunt woman, coach and gymnastics club owner.
3.
Kristie Phillips began gymnastics in her home state at the age of 4.
4.
At her first US National Championships in 1985, Kristie Phillips won the all-around title in the junior division; she repeated her success the following year, despite competing with a broken wrist.
5.
Kristie Phillips made her debut in international competition at the age of 12, at the 1984 Canada Classic, where she won a silver medal on the floor exercise, a bronze on the uneven bars and placed seventh in the all-around.
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Kristie Phillips continued to do well in international meets over the next three years, placing sixth at the prestigious 1986 City of Popes, winning a vault silver medal at the 1986 World Sports Fair and earning the all-around gold at the 1986 American Cup.
7.
Kristie Phillips's signature move on balance beam, known as "the Phillips", was a reverse straddle planche.
8.
Kristie Phillips's signature move, a reverse straddle planche on beam that was eventually named after her, was featured on the cover of the September 1,1986 issue of Sports Illustrated.
9.
Kristie Phillips was interviewed for the 1987 ABC-TV documentary Olga, Nadia and Mary Lou.
10.
Kristie Phillips won a gold on the floor exercise, and a bronze medal in the vault.
11.
Kristie Phillips placed first all-around at the USA vs USSR dual meet, and won her second American Cup.
12.
Kristie Phillips placed 9th at the US Nationals that spring.
13.
Kristie Phillips trained with the squad in America, but did not travel with them to Seoul.
14.
Kristie Phillips attended Louisiana State University from 1990 to 1992, where she was a competitive cheerleader and a Delta Gamma sister.
15.
That year, Kristie Phillips was named USA Gymnastics Sportswoman of the Year.
16.
Kristie Phillips competed at the US Nationals again in 2000, placing 24th, before retiring.
17.
Kristie Phillips owns KPAC, gymnastics facilities in Statesville and Mooresville, North Carolina, and is certified as an International Brevet judge.
18.
Kristie Phillips was Athlete Representative for USA Gymnastics, and served in the same capacity for the 2008 US Olympic gymnastics team selection committee.
19.
Kristie Phillips has spoken about her experiences in gymnastics on several occasions, most recently in the 2003 CNN documentary Achieving the Perfect 10.
20.
Kristie Phillips was inducted into the USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame in 2006.
21.
Kristie Phillips has one eponymous skill listed in the Code of Points.