Determination, dedication, and perseverance. These are words used to describe a former elite gymnast, Courtney Kiehl. No matter what she’s going through, Courtney always has a smile to share. Having overcome several injuries and a bad experience with a gymnastic coach.

Courtney Kiehl was born on February 13, 1990 in Fremont, California. She started gymnastics at the age of three and half years old when she was invited to take a class with a friend. Her friend did not continue in gymnastics, but Courtney did. She began competing at the age of seven, and was Nor Cal Level 6 State Champion in 1999. Courtney was a member of the 1999 and 2000 USA Gymnastics National TOP Team.

In 2001 Courtney competed in the US Challenge in Indianapolis where she finished second and earned the opportunity to attend National Team Training Camp in Houston. Though restricted by an arm brace, she competed as a Child National Elite at the 2002 US Challenge meet in Virgina Beach, VA. Her 2003 season was cut short due to injury.

In January of 2004, Courtney knew she could not hide her pain anymore. She came foward and told her parents that her gym coach, the coach that she trusted with her life, had molested her. It took her over two years to finally tell her story because she was afraid of the results of her telling. Since that sad day in January, Courtney has been trying to find some good that could come out of such a horrible experience. So one year later, she and Alexa started the Abused Children Heard Everywhere Foundation in order to give other children the courage to tell if they have been abused.

Courtney decided to quit gymnastics and try new sports after she joined Airborne Gymnastics for a few days. She felt that her heart was not in it anymore. Courtney is enjoying her life at her new high school and is on her high school varsity track team. After a few months, she went back to her old gym, which is now called the Bay Aerials where she coaches little children and helps out with a TOPS class.

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