Erin Blanchard


Erin Blanchard is an American gymnast from Broussard, Louisiana.
Blanchard competed in the Women's Individual Trampoline on August 15, 2008, at the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics, but did not advance to the finals.

Early life

Erin is the daughter of Kay and Dwight Blanchard and has three brothers, Caleb, Jon and Dewey. Erin watched the '96 Olympic gymnastics team and dreamed of becoming an Olympic gymnast. Her mother then signed her up that year for a local gym.
The 2006 U.S. champion, Blanchard retired in 2007. She told the Houston Chronicle: "I had some complications with the gym and the coach. I just had to get away from it all." During her eight-month break she worked out with her brother, a body builder, but didn't bounce on a trampoline at all. But once the U.S. secured a wildcard Olympic spot, Blanchard reconsidered her retirement: "When I walked away, I never really thought of the Olympics as a possibility." After a rough first day back, Blanchard said that it took her about a month to relearn most of her skills.
Erin is the cousin of former LSU softball player Katie Guillory.

Trampoline career

Road To Beijing

Blanchard earned her trip to China by edging friend Alaina Hebert in the U.S. trampoline Olympic selection points system. Blanchard and Hebert grew up a few miles apart in Broussard, La. just outside Lafayette and carpooled to practice during their early years in the sport. Fellow Olympic team member Chris Estrada trained with Blanchard before all three moved to the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.

Beijing 2008

After earning a berth to the Olympics, Erin competed at the Olympics at the age of only 18. Erin scored a 27.1 during her first, compulsory, routine at the Olympics. She would be ranked tied for 14th after her first routine. Erin scored a 33.8 during her second, optional routine, at the Olympics. She would move up in the rankings to 13. However, only the top 8 advance to finals.

Accomplishments

Achievements