At only 13 years-old Rachel Updike had already caught the eyes of gymnastics fans. Rachel started out her gymnastics career at Diamond Gymnastics in Overland Park, KS. She quickly climbed through the ranks and made her first regional championships as a level 8 gymnast. She placed 3rd all-around and also claimed a gold medal on vault and a silver medal on balance beam. Rachel was also a member of the 2003 National TOP Team, because of this Rachel had an option to test and qualify to the elite level. Rachel competed at the 2004 American Challenge in California as a TOPs Gymnast and did very well. She went on to compete level 9 in 2004 where she placed 4th all-around at Region III Championships and once again won the gold medal on balance beam. Rachel placed high enough to qualify for a spot at 2004 Western Nationals. The Diamond athletes did well at this meet with Rachel taking 9th all-around and placing 1st on balance beam.
After the 2004 season Rachel was forced to make a decision since the Diamond Gymnastics coaches would be leaving to coach in another state. Rachel, along with several teammates, made the decision to move to Great American Gymnastics Express, GAGE for short. GAGE proved to be an excellent choice for Rachel, she would now be training under the watchful eyes of 2004 Olympic Coaches Al and Armine Fong. Rachel flourished during the 2005 season where she competed as a Level 10 for the first time. She placed 4th AA at the Missouri Level 10 State Championships and won her signature event, balance beam. Rachel also did well at 2005 Level 10 Region IV Championships placing 6th AA and first on the floor exercise. Although Rachel placed high enough to qualify to the 2005 Junior Olympic Nationals Championships, Rachel was injured shortly before this competition and was unable to make the trip to California and compete.
Rachel worked hard and came back from her injury in 100% shape. She took first all-around at the 2006 Starz and Stripes Invitational and also won Bars and Beam. Rachel was then off to the National Training Center in Huntsville, Texas to try to qualify to the elite level. Rachel did well scoring well above the 52 all-around score that she needed to qualify international elite. Rachel also did well on the compulsory section, placing 1st out of all the girls competing. Rachel competed at the US Classic in Kansas City where she placed well enough to qualify to the 2006 US National Championships. Rachel and her GAGE teammates traveled to St. Paul where three of the GAGE girls qualified to the national team, including Rachel! Rachel was invited to the National Team Training Center in November for the PAGU Training Camp Exchange, after this camp Rachel was invited to Belgium to compete in the Top Gym Competition for juniors. Unfortunately Rachel was injured before the meet and unable to attend.
Rachel decided to take a short break from gymnastics in early 2007. After coming back from her break she decided to switch to Kansas Gymnastics, Dance, and Cheer (KGDC Twisters) where she will be training with some old teammates. Rachel competed as a level 10 athlete in 2008 winnin ghe all around at the Metroplex Challenge as well as the Kansas State Championships. Rachel placed 3rd at Region III Championships, earning a spot on the Region III J.O National Team. Rachel traveled to Kissimmee, FL to compete in the 2008 Junior Olympic Championships where she placed 24th in the all around. Rachel is hoping to attain a college scholarship in the future.
At only 13 years-old Rachel Updike had already caught the eyes of gymnastics fans. Rachel started out her gymnastics career at Diamond Gymnastics in Overland Park, KS. She quickly climbed through the ranks and made her first regional championships as a level 8 gymnast. She placed 3rd all-around and also claimed a gold medal on vault and a silver medal on balance beam. Rachel was also a member of the 2003 National TOP Team, because of this Rachel had an option to test and qualify to the elite level. Rachel competed at the 2004 American Challenge in California as a TOPs Gymnast and did very well. She went on to compete level 9 in 2004 where she placed 4th all-around at Region III Championships and once again won the gold medal on balance beam. Rachel placed high enough to qualify for a spot at 2004 Western Nationals. The Diamond athletes did well at this meet with Rachel taking 9th all-around and placing 1st on balance beam.
After the 2004 season Rachel was forced to make a decision since the Diamond Gymnastics coaches would be leaving to coach in another state. Rachel, along with several teammates, made the decision to move to Great American Gymnastics Express, GAGE for short. GAGE proved to be an excellent choice for Rachel, she would now be training under the watchful eyes of 2004 Olympic Coaches Al and Armine Fong. Rachel flourished during the 2005 season where she competed as a Level 10 for the first time. She placed 4th AA at the Missouri Level 10 State Championships and won her signature event, balance beam. Rachel also did well at 2005 Level 10 Region IV Championships placing 6th AA and first on the floor exercise. Although Rachel placed high enough to qualify to the 2005 Junior Olympic Nationals Championships, Rachel was injured shortly before this competition and was unable to make the trip to California and compete.
Rachel worked hard and came back from her injury in 100% shape. She took first all-around at the 2006 Starz and Stripes Invitational and also won Bars and Beam. Rachel was then off to the National Training Center in Huntsville, Texas to try to qualify to the elite level. Rachel did well scoring well above the 52 all-around score that she needed to qualify international elite. Rachel also did well on the compulsory section, placing 1st out of all the girls competing. Rachel competed at the US Classic in Kansas City where she placed well enough to qualify to the 2006 US National Championships. Rachel and her GAGE teammates traveled to St. Paul where three of the GAGE girls qualified to the national team, including Rachel! Rachel was invited to the National Team Training Center in November for the PAGU Training Camp Exchange, after this camp Rachel was invited to Belgium to compete in the Top Gym Competition for juniors. Unfortunately Rachel was injured before the meet and unable to attend.