Jordyn Wieber, a 2013 DeWitt graduate, won Olympic gold for Team U.S.A. in the 2012 Summer Olympic Games as a member of the “Fierce Five.” In exchange for the chance to wear a Panther uniform, she trained more than 35 hours a week to become a world champion, cementing herself as one of the most accomplished international gymnasts in U.S. history. At 11, Wieber finished ninth in the all-around at the 2006 National Championships and earned a spot on the U.S. National Team. In 2007, she won the Junior Pan American Championship, winning gold on uneven bars and balance beam. She won the American Cup all-around title in 2009, 2011, and 2012. She also won the
U.S. Classic all-around in 2010 and was a gold medalist on vault and uneven bars. Wieber’s success continued as she won the U.S. National Championship all-around in 2011 and 2012, winning gold on uneven bars and floor exercise in 2011. In Tokyo, she won the 2011 World Championships, becoming the sixth American to win gymnastics’ biggest prize. Wieber built momentum and confidence heading into the 2012 Summer Olympics by winning the 2012 Visa Championship and the 2012 Pacific Rim Championship. In London, she finished fourth in qualifying for the individual all-around, but third among Americans, and Olympic rules allow only two gymnasts from each country to advance to the finals. Her true character, mental toughness, and ability to thrive under pressure were on display for the world when she handled that adversity with the utmost class and dignity. Wieber helped lead her team to the gold medal by outstanding performances in the vault, uneven bars, and floor exercise. She enrolled at UCLA in 2013 and served as a student manager and adviser for the Bruins’ gymnastics team before becoming an assistant coach.