Dominique Dawes

But it was the 1994 Coca-Cola U.S. National Championships in Nashville where "Awesome Dawesome" earned her nickname. She won first in all the main events. Her clean sweep easily gave her the coveted First All-Around to top it off. The accomplishment was the first of its kind in twenty-five years. Once again, USA Gymnastics named Dawes 1994 Athlete of the Year.

In high school, she practiced seven times a day; two hours before school and five hours after and still managed to maintain an A average. Like any other young woman in her teens, college beckoned. She had her pick of many great schools with her combination of accomplishments and hunger for self-improvement. Stanford offered a scholarship, but she deferred twice due to the strong draw of her favorite sport.

After a wrist injury sidelined her in 1995, Dawes returned with a tremendous effort at the 1996 Coca-Cola U.S. National Championships in Knoxville. Reminiscent of the 1994 Nationals, she took first in a number of events. At twenty, an age when most gymnasts consider retiring, Dawes looked like she was just getting started.