A Dream
... in her second US nationals when tragedy struck. During a competition on the balance beam, Kupets broke her heel leaving her unable to compete for the rest of the year. This was just one small bump she would face throughout her career. At her final Jr. National Championships in 2001, Kupets jumped ranks quickly from twenty-third to six in day one. On the last day of the meet, however Kupets dropped to ninth where she stayed for the rest of the competition. After her performance in the Jr. National Championships, Kupets was invited to compete in the Japan Junior Invitational but declined the offer after the terrorist destruction of September 11. As a Senior Elite in 2002, Kupets made her way into the hearts of gymnastics fans everywhere by blowing away the judges at the 2002 American Visa Cup. Kupets came close to winning but placed second behind the National Champion Tasha Schwikert. Then tragedy struck yet again. Kupets had injured her knee and had to have surgery on it. Luckily she was back and ready to compete in the Nationals placing eighth all around and second on the beam which qualified her for the 2002 World Team Selection Camp. During the camp Kupets did not show her inexperience and ended up being selected for the World Team along with Ashley Postell, Terin Humphrey, and Sam Sheehan. At the World Championships, the US women were unaware they were considered underdogs by fans and sportscasters. Amidst the negative light, Kupets placed second on the bars and became the first individual world champion since Shannon Miller in 1994. The US ended up with two gold medals, which included one won by Kupets. She won the Nationals in 2003 automatically earning her a spot on the 2003 World Team. After the team prelims, Kupets had been the second highest qualifier on the uneven bars but that was as far as she would compete in the 2003 World Championships. During a practice session, Kupets tore her Achilles tendon causing her to withdraw from the competition and fly back home immediately for surgery. This was the hardest obstacle Courtney was forced to face yet. The US team went on to win the gold and Courtney’s coach Kell...