Grace started gymnastics when she was four years old. She has always been with Aiken Gymnastics in Aiken, South Carolina. In 1994, Grace competed in her first meet in Greenwood, SC. She competed as a six year old USAG Level Four. Since then she has competed a new level each year.

     Grace is the first gymnast from South Carolina to accomplish many feats, including becoming South Carolina's first Eastern National All Around Champion, which happened in May of 1999! She also became the only South Carolina gymnast to ever win a Junior Olympic National title when she won beam with a 9.700 at 2001 Nationals in Eugene, Oregon. 

     Grace was placed on the US Junior National Team in the spring of 2002 and competed in her first US Nationals later that summer. She also qualified for Nationals in 2003 as a junior international elite and 2004 and 2005 as a senior! Grace has also competed in many international competitions, most recently winning the all-around title at the 2005 Friendship Classic! Next fall, she will join the University of Georgia gymnastics team, the 2005 NCAA National Champions!

     Grace is the oldest of four children. She has two sisters and one brother.  Her family has chosen to homeschool all of them.  One of the advantages of homeschooling is the ability to schedule field trips during competition season. Each year we seem to travel farther from our home in Aiken!

     The most exciting moment in Grace's life was when Grace accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. He is the reason she has been able to experience true joy in her accomplishments. 

Full Name: Grace Ellen Taylor
Nicknames: Grasa
Birthdate: March 29, 1988
Birthplace: Essex, Maryland
Hometown: Aiken, South Carolina
Residence: Aiken, South Carolina
Eye Color/Hair Color: brown/brown
Height: 4' 3"

Family: father Daniel, mother Lynn, sisters Hannah and Phoebe, brother Daniel II
Pets: four cats (Calico, Dayna, Boomer, & Cleo) and one dog (Sheila)
School: Talatha Academy
Grade: 12th (Fall of 2005 - Spring of 2006)
Hobbies: Crocheting, reading, collecting bears, playing cards (especially koopka, the official card game of Aiken Gymnastics!)
Favorites: view list

Began Gymnastics: Age four (1992)
Level: Senior International Elite
Gym: Aiken Gymnastics
Coaches: Draha Krizova and Radek Kriz (who are from the Czech Republic)
Weekly Training Hours: 33 during the school year, 34 1/2 during the summer
Goals: 2003 Worlds, 2004 Olympics
Floor Music: Czech folk music (2005, 2004), I Dream of Jeanie (2002), Largo Al Factotum (2001)
Teammates: Nicole Pechanec, Sally Moser