When Krista Jasper was born to her parents Pete and Lorraine on May 7, 1989, they had no idea that their daughter would become a gymnastics phenom and advance all the way to the international elite level in less than four years. After all, there aren’t many people in the world who are capable of this feat. It takes most gymnasts over ten years to attain elite status. However, Krista Jasper isn’t just your average girl.

Krista was born in Birchrunville, Pennsylvania, and she began gymnastics when she was almost ten years old in December of 1998. She began gymnastics at the Phoenixville YMCA and made the move to the prestigious Parkettes Gymnastics in 2000. After this switch, Krista progressed at an amazing pace and easily worked her way through the levels. Her parents Pete (salesman) and Lorraine supported Krista a lot during this time of vast improvement. Lorraine is a competitive runner and understands what Krista is going through with her rigorous training and workout schedule. Her mom also drove two hours six days a week just to get Krista to practice!

Krista also lives with three brothers- Peter, Michael, and Nicky; and she has a cat named Zoey as well. When asked how she became involved in the sport, Krista replies, “When I was younger, I used to flip around in my basement, so my mom put me in gymnastics.” After flying through the levels in gymnastics, Krista qualified to compete to the junior international elite level in 2002 and she even qualified to compete at Nationals during her first year as an elite! She had an impressive 2002 season. To name a few highlights, Krista finished 2nd at the Parkette Invitational, 1st at the Dragon Invitational, 8th at the US Classic, and 24th at her very first Nationals.

Krista then trained at New Heights Gymnastics in Wauseon, Ohio for most 2003. Unfortunately, due to some nagging injuries and knee surgery, Krista was unable to compete but she healed up nicely and made the move back to Pennsylvania to train at Metzlers Gymnastics in Downingtown. She trained at Hills Gymnastics briefly in 2005 but soon had to stop doing gymnastics altogether due to a nagging elbow injury that had bothered her for about four years and has prevented her from reaching her full potential. After doing some alternative physical therapy on her elbow, Krista was finally able to return to the sport in 2006 and now she is training level 10 at AJS Pancott Gymnastics Center in West Chester, PA. Although Krista's bumpy road through her gymnastics career has put her 2008 Olympic goal out of reach, she has accomplished another personal goal by attaining a full scholarship to the University of North Carolina where she will attend beginning in fall of 2007.


Full Name: Krista Jasper
Birthdate: May 7, 1989
Birthplace: Birchrunville, PA
Residence: Warwick, PA
Age: 20 years old
Level: Level 10
Gym: AJS Pancott Gymnastics Center
Coaches: Sue Weldon & Steve Pancott
School: University of North Carolina
Year: freshman
Parents: Pete and Lorraine (competitive runner)
Sibling: three brothers (Peter, Michael, Nicky)
Pet: one cat (Zoey)
Began Gymnastics: December 1998
Reason for Beginning: "I always used to flip around in my basement until I convinced my mom to put me in gymnastics."
Favorite Events: floor & bars
Hobbies: track, cross country, baking, sewing, and hanging out with friends and family