Gymn Forum: Muriel Grossfeld biography

Muriel Grossfeld (USA)

3-time US Olympian
1957 and 1963 AAU Overall Gold Medalist

Muriel was born in 1941 in Indianapolis. After having studied dance for 7 years, she took up gymnastics in 1955 at age 14. Coached by Walter Lienert, she qualified for and competed at the Olympic Games in Melbourne a year later. In 1960, Muriel married fellow gymnast Abie Grossfeld.

A three-time Olympian, Muriel became a TV commentator and coach after retiring. Her most famous pupil, Marcia Frederick, was the first US female gymnast to win a world title. Muriel is a long-time member of the US gymnastics coaching staff.

Competition Results

1956
Olympic Games: 9th Team, 52nd AA

1957
AAU Championships: 1st AA, 1st B, 1st FX, 2nd UB
Roy E. Moore Meet: 2nd AA, 1st UB, 2nd B, 2nd FX, 3rd V

1958
AAU Championships: 2nd AA, 1st FX, 2nd UB, 3rd V, 3rd B

1959
AAU Championships: 2nd AA, 1st B, 4th FX, 7th V
Central AAU Championships: 1st AA, 1st V, 1st B, 1st FX, 3rd UB
Pan American Games Trials: 2nd AA, 1st UB, 2nd FX, 3rd B, 6th V

1960
AAU Championships: 2nd AA, 1st UB, 1st FX
Olympic Games: 9th Team, 70th AA

1961
AAU Championships: 4th AA, 1st FX, 2nd B
CSSR-USA Dual Meet: 2nd Team, 3rd FX
Midwest Championships: 1st AA, 1st UB
National Gymnastics Clinic Championships: 4th AA, 1st FX
North-South Meet: 3rd UB
POL-USA Dual Meet: 2nd AA, 2nd FX
USA-JPN Dual Meet: 2nd Team, 3rd AA
USA-USSR Dual Meet (Pennsylvania): 2nd Team, 1st FX, 3rd B
USSR-USA Dual Meet (Moscow): 2nd Team, 5th AA, 3rd FX, 3rd B

1962
AAU Championships: 4th AA, 1st B, 1st FX
Central AAU Gymnastics Championships: 1st AA, 1st V, 1st UB, 1st B, 1st FX
FRG-USA Dual Meet: 1st Team, 2nd AA
Pan American Games Trials: 1st AA
World Championships: 31st AA

1963
AAU Championships: 1st AA, 1st B, 1st FX
New England Championships: 1st AA, 1st UB, 1st B, 1st FX, 3rd V
Pan American Games: 1st Team, 7th AA, 6th FX

1964
Olympic Games: 9th Team, 58th AA
US Olympic Trials: 2nd AA