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UTAH: All-American as a freshman will play an even bigger role if she can avoid the injuries that limited her a year ago ... projected to compete as an all-arounder this year ... two-time German national all-around champion (2005-06) has great skills and presentation.
2007: First-team uneven bars All-American placed eighth at the NCAA Championships ... overcame November knee surgery and a mid-season injury to both knees to compete on bars and beam at nationals ... on the opening day of the NCAA Championships, she scored a career-best 9.925 on bars - tying for first in the evening session - and a 9.80 on beam ... 9.85 on beam in the Super Six ... until injuring both knees in late March, she was a starter on three events (bars, beam and floor) ... hit 27-29 routines ... made the Dean's List and the Athletics Academic Honor Roll ... 4.0 GPA spring semester ... NACGC Scholastic All-American.
CLUB/HIGH SCHOOL: Two-time German national all-around champion (2005-06) ... also won national titles on vault and floor at the 2005 German National Championships, and placed first on bars at the 2006 national meet ... placed eighth in the all-around at the 2005 World Championships in Melbourne, Australia ... 20th all-around at the 2003 World Championships ... third on vault and bars, and fourth in the all-around at the 2003 German Championships ... trained at Turnteam Toyota Cologne for coach Shanna Poljakova ... graduated from Georg Buechner High School.
PERSONAL: Daughter of Christel and Christoph Bijak ... name is pronounced Darr-ee-a BEE-jhack (soft "j") ... one brother (Thomas) ... theater major ... full name is Daria Eva Bijak ... born Nov. 12, 1985 in Poland.
Bijak's Career Highs
Bars 9.925 at NCAA Championships, Apr. 26, 2007 Beam 9.900 vs. Florida, Mar. 9, 2007 Floor 9.850 vs. Oregon State, Mar. 16, 2007Outside The Gym
Miles from home: 5,115
My family: Moved 20 times in 12 years
I started gymnastics at age: 6
Hardest skill I've ever performed: Double front punch front on floor
Favorite non U of U sports team: German National Soccer Team
I will never forget: Being introduced at home meets
My goal is to: Go to the Olympics
Favorite foods: Pasta, corn on the cob with mayonnaise
Favorite subject in school: Math
Favorite activities: : Dancing, surfing
