2005, Another Great Year!
Natasha begins 2005 with her first of three all-around championships at the North American International (tri-meet) at Long Island, NY. Along with the all-around, Natasha was first on uneven bars and beam, and finished second on vault and floor. Then, the unexpected happened when Natasha broke her hand. Natasha was in a cast from the end of April until June. She missed out on a competition in Europe. Yet, Natasha had faith and determination. She stayed on her regular gym schedule and worked on conditioning and flexibility. When her cast came off in June, it was a race against time to get her strength and timing back in time for national championships in August. She really wanted to make the national team again. She did that and more. She won the US Junior National All-Around Championship in one of the most exciting finishes in junior national competition in recent years. Her last event of the two-day competition was floor exercise and she scored a 9.45 and won the all-around title by .101. She also earned balance beam and floor exercise national championships and third place finishes on vault and uneven bars. 

Next, she was sent to Japan to compete in the Japan Junior International Competition. Japan hosts this competition every other year and invites the best junior international gymnasts in the world, including the likes of Romania, Russia, China, to name a few. Japan knows how to put on a first class meet and this one was no exception. Natasha was solid in winning the all-around championship. At event finals the next day, she won gold on balance beam, and silver medals on vault, uneven bars, and floor exercise. She brought home two huge plaques for winning the all-around, and some cool looking medals for the other events. She was also on Japan TV. So just as 2004 was then her best year as a gymnast, 2005 exceeded and became her best year as a gymnast. During those two years, Natasha's team and individual medal count is now 27 in international competitions. A tribute to faith, hard work, and great coaching by Dan and Ashly Baker.

2004 - What a Year!
Consistent training yields consistent results. Her coaches are difference makers. Nothing is left to chance. Natasha made it to her first National Championships, a goal she set many years ago. She made the US Jr. National Team as the result of her performance. She went on to win the AA in her first international competition in Mexico, a meet she originally was listed as an alternate, but got the call to compete and took advantage of opportunity. Read on for a summary of 2004 highlights in Natasha's best year as a gymnast. 

2004
The new year begins like 2003 ended. Continued emphasis on strength, flexibility, dance, and polishing-off of new skills. The results soon begin to show. February is a very good month. Natasha places 2nd AA at the Kurt Thomas Invitational in Dallas and in the process qualifies as International Elite. Immediately following, she places 1st AA at the San Antonio River Walk Classic. Then, she finishes February off by placing 3rd AA at the National Podium Meet at Madison Square Garden, including a 1st place finish on Uneven Bars. Forward March, and the very first weekend, Natasha places 6th AA at the American Classic in Ontario, CA. As a result of her finish, Natasha qualifies for her first trip to US National Championships, where she places 7th AA and secures a spot on the National Team. 

A Good Beginning in Mexico
The momentum from Nationals continues. Natasha was first alternate when she got the call to be part of the team to go to the Olympiad Elite in Baja, Mexico, her first international assignment. Her coaches have her well prepared. Jana Beiger, Kassi Price, Bianca Flohr, and Natasha represent Team USA and win the all-around in the team competition. Natasha wins the individual all-around title, her best finish to date as an international elite. 

Team Work vs. Canada
Natasha's second international competition is following training camp at the Karolyi Ranch in the USA vs. Canada competition. Team members Shayla Worley, Bianca Flohr, Kassi Price, and Natasha have solid performances as Team USA defeats Canada. Natasha places 3rd in the all-around and is selected to compete at the Jr. Pan American Championships. 

On To El Salvador
Natasha's third international assignment is a good one. Team USA soundly defeats 14 other countries in claiming the team gold at the Pan American Games. Kassi Price, Bianca Flohr, Morgan Evans, and Natasha, represent Team USA. Natasha wins individual bronze by placing 3rd in the all-around and qualifies for event finals on vault and beam. The next day at event finals, Natasha earns two golds by winning the balance beam and vault titles. Natasha leaves El Salvador with three golds, one bronze, and a great experience.

And Then Venezuela
They just keep getting better. Natasha's fourth international assignment is another good one. Natasha joined three accomplished senior gymnasts to represent the US at the Sr. Pan American Event Specialist Championships in Maracaibo, Venezuela. Her teammates were Chellsie Memmel, Alicia Sacramone, and Melanie Sinclair. The US dominated the competition. Natasha competed on balance beam and placed 2nd at prelims and 2nd at the event final to bring home a silver medal. Natasha made the cover of the Laverdad sports page in Maracaibo. Cool trip!