Splitleap graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2004 with a Bachelor’s degree in journalism. She has been blogging with Gymnastics Media since April 2006 and now lends her time to the site as a freelance journalist. Splitleap, whose real name is Carrie, became a die-hard gymnastics fan in 1992, inspired by Shannon Miller’s performance at the Olympic Games. She began doing gymnastics the following year, at age 12. After doing gymnastics recreationally for a few years, Splitleap joined the high school team and began her competitive career. Twice voted Most Dedicated Gymnast and once voted Most Improved Gymnast, Splitleap considers 1998 to be her most successful year in gymnastics. As a 16-year-old junior, she scored a 9.0 on balance beam at a home meet and qualified to the state championships on beam later in the season. Although she performed under par, she feels proud to have competed at the state championships. Splitleap took a year off from gymnastics during her freshman year of college, but joined a gymnastics club when she transferred to the University of Minnesota the following year. She competed with the club for a year and a half, until a knee injury derailed her training. Splitleap competed once more after the knee injury, at dual meet in her home gym. She performed a floor routine with only one tumbling pass (front walkover, cartwheel, back walkover) and scored a 7.1!

Splitleap planned to retire after that meet and spent two years out of the gym. After watching the 2004 Olympics, her passion for gymnastics re-emerged, and she rejoined the University of Minnesota’s gymnastics club. Although she cannot do many of her old skills, Splitleap can still perform her trademark needle scale (look ma, no hands!) into a forward roll to beat jump. Every once in awhile, if her left knee is tightly wrapped and feeling good, she can do aerial dismounts off the beam! In her free time, Splitleap likes to watch gymnastics videos, play with her two crazy cats and eat sunflower seeds. She also has her own show (The Purple Room) on the oldies/classic rock station in Minneapolis.  Her DJ name is Carrie Camaro. Splitleap’s favorite gymnast of all-time is Shannon Miller. Other favorites are Vanessa Atler, Lilia Podkopayeva and Svetlana Khorkina. Her favorite gymnasts currently competing are Chellsie Memmel, Nastia Liukin, Shayla Worley, Shantessa Pama, Anna Pavlova, Hollie Dykes and Cheng Fei.