Curtis Holdsworth is a former American artistic gymnast and member of the United States men's national artistic gymnastics team.
Holdsworth was adopted at the age of 3 after a short stay in foster care and moved to Wilbraham, Massachusetts.[1] He was enrolled in gymnastics by his mother and didn't like the sport until he began get good at it.[1] He attended Minnechaug Regional High School and won the state prep all-around title twice.[1]
Holdsworth was recruited for his gymnastics ability and was offered scholarships from UCLA, Iowa, Illinois, Penn State, Ohio State, Temple, and Cal State Fullerton.[1] He chose to attend UCLA because of their Olympic pedigree, with alumni Peter Vidmar, Mitch Gaylord, and Tim Daggett having just recently won gold medals at UCLA's Pauley Pavilion in the 1984 Summer Olympics.[1] Holdsworth placed first in the country on the pommel horse at the 1986 NCAA Men's Gymnastics Championships, the first freshman in NCAA history to do so.[2][3] He later won a team NCAA national championship with the Bruins in 1987.[4] He was a nominee for the 1989 Nissen-Emery Award.[5]
Holdsworth participated in the USA Gymnastics National Championships from 1986 through 1988, placing 28th, 7th, and 4th respectively.[6][7][8] He was named to the United States men's national artistic gymnastics team for the 1987 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships.[9]
References
- ^ a b c d e Ripton, Ray (April 23, 1987). "NCAA Men's Gymnastics Championships : Holdsworth Should Help Bruin Title Bid". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 15, 2023.
- ^ Crowe, Jerry (April 25, 1987). "NCAA Men's Gymnastics Championships : UCLA No. 2 Qualifier; Schlesinger Wins Title". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 15, 2023.
- ^ "NATIONAL COLLEGIATE MEN'S GYMNASTICS CHAMPIONSHIPS" (PDF). ncaa.org. Retrieved September 15, 2023.
- ^ Crowe, Jerry (April 26, 1987). "NCAA Men's Gymnastics Championships : Pineda Leads Bruins to a Narrow Victory". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 15, 2023.
- ^ "Nissen-Emery Award". usagym.org. Retrieved September 15, 2023.
- ^ "Men's 1986 USGF Gymnastics Championships of the U.S.A." (PDF). usagym.org. June 20, 1986. Retrieved September 15, 2023.
- ^ "Men's 1987 McDonald's Gymnastics Championships of the U.S.A." (PDF). usagym.org. June 19, 1987. Retrieved September 15, 2023.
- ^ "Men – Session II 1988 McDonald's Gymnastics Championships of the U.S.A." (PDF). usagym.org. July 9, 1988. Retrieved September 15, 2023.
- ^ "World Championships - U.S. Men's Team Rosters". usagym.org. Retrieved September 15, 2023.