Childhood & Early Life
Ragan Elisabeth Smith was born on August 8, 2000, in Snellville, Georgia, to Michael Smith and Kerry Smith, a gymnastics coach. She has two younger brothers, Jackson Smith, and Hudson Smith.
As Smith’s mother was a coach, she spent her early years in the gym, and developed interest for the sport. She started receiving her formal coaching from 2004, when she was just 4 years old. Smith received training at the ‘NorthWind Gymnastics Center,’ under former Soviet and Belarusian World Champion, Elena Piskun.
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Career
Smith started her junior level career by competing at ‘Level 6,’ in 2008. She advanced to ‘Level 10,’ in 2012. In 2013, Ragan Smith qualified for the ‘Junior International Elite’ status. She was selected to participate in the ‘2013 Secret U.S. Classic,’ an annual summer gymnastics meet for elite female artistic gymnasts. Smith advanced to the ‘U.S. National Championship’ and secured 17th position in the ‘all-around’ category.
In 2014, Smith was selected to the ‘U.S. National Gymnastics Team.’ She participated in the ‘2014 City of Jesolo Trophy,’ held in Italy. This was her first international assignment. In the event, Smith scored 52.65 in the ‘all-around’ category. In the same year, she competed in the ‘Secret U.S. Classic,’ and secured 13th position in the ‘all-around’ category, with a score of 54.45. She also secured the first position in the ‘floor exercise’ category. Smith participated in the ‘U.S. National Championship’ too, and secured second position in the ‘balance beam,’ and ‘floor exercise’ categories.
In 2015, Ragan Smith competed in the ‘City of Jesolo Trophy.’ She stood at the fifth position in the ‘all-around’ category, with a score of 56.1. Smith finished at the third position in the ‘vault’ category, and at the second position in the ‘floor exercise’ category. She participated in the ‘Secret U.S. Classic,’ and secured the first position in ‘floor exercise,’ second position in ‘all-around,’ and third position in the ‘vault’ category. She competed in the ‘2015 U.S. National Championship’ too, where she secured third position in the ‘all-around’ category. She secured the first position in ‘balance beam,’ and ‘floor exercise’ categories. Smith committed herself to the ‘University of Oklahoma,’ in 2015.
In 2016, Ragan Smith made her senior debut by competing in the ‘City of Jesolo Trophy.’ She secured the second position in ‘all-around,’ ‘balance beam,’ and ‘floor exercise’ categories. She competed in the ‘Pacific Rim Championship’ and won the first place in ‘balance beam,’ with a score of 15.225. At the ‘U.S. Classic,’ Smith secured the fifth position in ‘balance beam’ and sixth position in ‘uneven bars.’ She participated in the ‘U.S. Olympic Trials’ and finished at the second position in ‘balance beam’ category. She was selected as an alternate to the ‘2016 Olympics’ team.
In 2017, Ragan Smith won a gold medal at the ‘American Cup.’ She competed in the ‘U.S. Classic’ and secured the first place in ‘uneven bars’ and ‘balance beam.’ Smith competed in the ‘2017 U.S. National Gymnastics Championship’ and secured the first position in ‘all-around’ category. She also won the first place in ‘floor exercise’ and ‘balance beam’ events. Smith stood third in ‘uneven bars.’
In September 2017, Smith was selected to represent the United States at the ‘2017 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships.’ She qualified for the ‘all-around’ final by finishing second, behind Mai Murakami of Japan, but during the warm-ups before the final, Smith injured her ankle, and was forced to withdraw from the event.
In 2018, Smith competed at the ‘City of Jesolo Trophy,’ as an individual participant. The US did not field a team for the event. Smith won a silver medal in ‘uneven bars,’ ‘balance beam,’ and ‘all-around’ events. She participated in the ‘U.S. Classic’ also, and secured the third position in ‘balance beam.’
Smith competed in the ‘2018 U.S. National Championship,’ but was able to secure only the tenth position in ‘all-around’ event. Smith suffered injuries to her toes, due to which she was not selected to the national team. She currently trains at the ‘Texas Dreams Gymnastics,’ under former world champion, Kim Zmeskal.
Personal Life
Ragan Smith is not married. She is not known to be in any relation. Currently, she lives in Lewisville, Texas. She is studying at the ‘Lakeland Christian Academy,’ and will complete her graduation in 2019.
Smith loves music, dance, and reading. She is fond of traveling too. Smith is active on social networking platforms, such as ‘Twitter,’ and ‘Instagram.’
