Samantha jumped into the gymnastics scene in 2004, where she made a name for herself as one of the nation's top junior athletes. She placed an impressive second all-around at the 2004 Junior Olympic National Championships at age 12. Weeks later, she went on to qualify to the Visa Championships where she placed third on vault and eighth in the all-around, becoming the youngest member of the 2004 National Team. In 2005, Sam earned a spot on her second USA National Team and became the national champion on vault. She also placed seventh in the all-around and second on floor. Samantha’s season continued to improve as she earned her third international assignment in Mexico, where she won the all-around, floor and vault titles.

In early 2006 Sam competed in the Gymnix International and won the all-around, vault and beam titles. Later in the year, at the 2006 Visa Championships, she won the all-around bronze medal as well as the silver medal on vault and the bronze medal on bars. She also debuted a double twisting double back on floor, a skill that only a few women in the world can do! Samantha earned a spot to compete in the 2006 Junior Pan American Championships where she helped her team earn the gold medal and also won the gold medal on floor and the silver medal on vault.

2007 was a fantastic year for Sam! Samantha and her USA Teammates became World Champions and made history at the 2007 World Championships in Stuttgart, Germany, when the USA Team won the title for the first time outside the USA.

major accomplishments and achievements

2008 senior international elite Grand Prix Jesolo Bronze Medalist, American Cup Vault Silver Medalist, American Cup All-Around, Balance Beam, and Floor Exercise Bronze Medalist, Olympic Trials Silver Medalist on Floor Exercise, 2008 Olympic Team Member, Olympic Silver Medalist.

2007 senior international elite American Cup Vault Champion (prelims), Great Britain vs. USA All-Around Bronze Medalist, Great Britain vs. USA Vault and Floor Exercise Champion, Great Britain vs. USA Balance Beam Silver Medalist, Pan American Team Gold Medalist, and World Champion Team Gold Medalist.

2006 junior international elite Gymnix International All-Around, Vault, and Balance Beam Champion, Gymnix International Uneven Bars Bronze Medalist, US Classic Vault, Balance Beam, and Floor Exercise Champion, US Classic All-Around Silver Medalist, US National Vault Silver Medalist, US National All-Around Uneven Bars Bronze Medalist, Junior Pan American Vault Champion, and Junior Pan American Balance Beam and Floor Exercise Bronze Medalist.

2005 junior international elite US Classic Vault Silver Medalist and Floor Exercise Bronze Medalist, US National Vault Champion and Floor Exercise Silver Medalist, Mexico Invite All Around, Vault, and Floor Exercise Champion.

2004 junior international elite US National Championships Qualifier, US National Vault Bronze Medalist, US vs. Canada Team Member and Vault Gold Medalist

miscellaneous other awards and achievements Member of the 2008 Olympic Training Squad, 2007 TOPs Athlete of the Year, Elite Since 2004, Four time member of the US National Team, JO National All-Around, Vault, Beam, and Bars Silver Medalist