Morgan's gymnastics career began, like most elite athletes, at an early age. After joining her neighboors in front-lawn gymnastics, she enrolled in classes at a local club. Her talent was obvious, and finding correct coaching to help her reach the elite level sent Morgan on a statewide club search. After making the TOPS National Team for two years (1993, 1994) and qualifying to the USA Gymnastics Junior Olympic (Level 10) Nationls two years in a row (1994, 1995) Morgan began her elite gymnastics career. She made her elite debut at the 1996 U.S. Classic, where she placed 18th in the junior division. At the U.S. Championships that year she placed 23rd.

     In 1997, Morgan made her first U.S. Jr. National team by placing 12th at the U.S. Championships, earning her international assignments in Columbia and Belgium. Upon returning home from Belgium, Morgan re-evaluated her gymnastics environment and how it contributed to her long term goals and decided that moving with her family to Mary Lee Tracy's Cincinnati Gymnastics Academy was in her best interests.

    Tracy was well-known for coaching 1996 Olympicans Amanda Borden and Jaycie Phelps, but was (and still is) recognized for coaching the whole athlete. Gymnasts at Cincinnati receive not only physical training, but mental and spiritual training as well. Morgan immediately felt at home in her new gym, and her gymnastics flourished. Most importantly, she began to enjoy doing gymnastics again. Her fire was back.

 

Age 4, already winning

     Morgan blossomed under Tracy and within a few months of her arrival in Cincinnati placed fifth at the American Classic (1998) and two international assignments. Morgan placed second all-around at the 1998 Jr. Pan American Championships and earned a silvermedal with her team at the Pontiac International Team Challenge. Morgan spent the summer of 1998 upgrading her routines in preparation for the U.S. Classic, which she won.

 

Vault: the final event at 1998 USA's

     Her summer culminated with the 1998 U.S. Jr. National Championships, where she was crowned National Champion on the uneven bars, and balance beam. Though she placed second on each day of competition, her two-day total was enough for the all-around gold medal as well. This kind of consistency would later become one of Morgan's biggest strengths in gymnastics.

     The 1999 American Classic marked Morgan's move to the senior ranks, a big jump up from the junior division. Though Morgan went from being one of the oldest competitors to one of the youngest competitors in her division, she placed seventh all-around, good enough for an alternate position for the senior Pan American Games.

     In a strange twist of fate, Morgan recieved what would be the first of several last-minute phone calls this year inviting her to join the competitive squad at the Visa American Cup after injurires forced other competitors to stay home.

     The same scenario occured later that summer and Morgan was placed on the Pan American Games team. Though the U.S. team placed a disapointing second, Morgan, originally the team's alternate, was the highest scorer on the U.S. team and qualified to the all-around finals. Without television or live internet coverage, Morgan's parents Ron and Debbie were anxiously awaiting results of the all-around final when they received a call from Canada; it was Morgan and she was calling to let her parents know that she was about to go up on the awards podium to receive her gold medal. Seemingly overnight, Morgan went from U.S. Jr. National Champion to Pan American Games Champion.

     Not bad for a first-year senior.

     The dream summer of 1999 continued with a team gold medal at the China Cup and a seventh-place all-around finish at the U.S. Championships. Unfortunately, just before the World Team Trials, Morgan was weakened by bronchitis forcing her to scale back her training. She competed despite the illness and placed fifth all-around, but only the top three athletes were named to the team.

     Though she was visibly upset with the circumstances, Morgan still lingered in the hotel lobby to pose for pictures with and sign autographs for many admiring fans. organ has always taken pride in communicating with her fans, whether it be through her Web site or through 'snail mail.' Though her traiming schedule limited her free time, she always set aside time each week for correspondance.

     Fate was kind to Morgan for the second time that summer when phone calls from USA Gymnastics officials informed her of a promotion to traveling alternate and shortly after arriving in China, full team member. Morgan competed on the uneven bars and balance beam, placing sixth with the U.S. team.

With close friend and role model Kim Zmeskal

     The Olympic year, 2000, began with the Visa American Cup Series, where Morgan placed fourth in the qualifying meet before finishing second in the finals firmly establishing herself as a contender for the Olympic Games. Morgan placed second with the U.S. team at the Pacific Alliance Championships and second at the 2000 U.S. Classic.

     In June, Morgan demonstrated mental resiliance by placing seventh all-around at the U.S. Championships after a less-than-perfect vault started her competition off on the wrong foot. Everything finally came together for Morgan at the Olympic Trials, where her fourth-place all-around finish and ear-to-ear grin after her final floor routine said it all: Sydney.

Floor, 2000 USA's

     It's somewhat ironic that an injury forced Morgan out of the first team she made as a full competitor, allowing another U.S. athlete to receive that last-minute phone call. Her foot had been sore, but Morgan was used to ignoring pain and was blessed with a very high pain tolerance. When Morgan could no longer push through her foot well enough to tumble, x-rays confirmed her fears: a fracture was the cause of her pain.

     Morgan flew home from Sydney, alone, and retreated with her family to a cabin in the woods and a much-needed vacation. She joined her Olympic teammates on the post-Olympic tour and participated in several profesional comeptitions.

     Shoulder surgery limited Morgan to one event at the 2001 U.S. Championships, and surgery later that summer slowed her progress. Though she did return to nearly full-strength, Morgan made the decision to retire from competitive gymnastics in 2002. Though she no longer actively competes, she is still deeply invloved with the sport. Morgan coaches at various camps and clinics throughout the year and travels to Karolyi's ranch in Houston each year to work with young athletes in the TOPs program. She gives advice to young gymnasts as a correspondent with Inside Gymnastics magazine.