"Flexible" best describes Kristin Quackenbush, who has excelled at all levels of gymnastics during her youthful, though extremely productive career.

Born on Jan. 9, 1975, Quackenbush was eight-years old when she took her first lessons at Valley Gymnastics. She competed on the Whitesboro High School gymnastics team for five years, 1989-93. Three times she captured the New York State Public High School Athletic Association title.

In 1993, she culminated her scholastic career by setting the national record for all-around, vault and floor exercise, and winning the USA Gymnastics national title. She was a three-time all around champion in the Empire State Games.

Quackenbush continued her sparkling success at West Virginia University. She was a six time all-American and team captain her last two years. At the 1996 NCAA Championships, she was third in vault, her highest finish ever. She helped the Mountaineers capture four consecutive Atlantic Conference gymnastics championships, 1994-97, with a combined 72-23 team record, including a school record 22-3 season in 1997.

She won 10 individual conference championships. She holds or shares the school record in the vault, beam, floor and all-around. She collected five perfect 10s in her collegiate career, including two perfect 10s in the same meet (March 15, 1997).

Her senior year was highlighted by many significant awards. She was unanimously voted East Atlantic Gymnastics League Gymnast of the Year and EAGL Outstanding Senior of the Year. In addition, she was named the National Collegiate Gymnast of the Year and the NCAA Woman Athlete of the Year.

She was an academic winner as well, earning awards all four years at West Virginia. She was named East Atlantic Gymnastics League AII-Academic in 1997.

After completing her college eligibility in gymnastics, Quackenbush remained on campus as a volunteer gymnastics coach for the 1998 season. Also in 1998, she switched to track and field competition and became an All-American in the pole vault with a then-personal best of 12-feet-6.

She earned her degree in physical education and is now employed in the WVU Office of Institutional Advancement. After reaching 13 feet in the pole vault, she set her sights on the 1999 Olympic trials.