Olympic champ enjoys watching U.

Missy Marlowe was a 1988 U.S. Olympian and one of the most decorated NCAA gymnasts in history, but as she awaited Friday night's University of Utah gymnastics meet with Florida in the Huntsman Center, Marlowe said she was "star-struck."

That's because she got a chance to meet 2008 Beijing Olympic all-around gold medalist Nastia Liukin and get some pictures taken with her.

Marlowe knows well Liukin's father, Valeri, the 1988 Olympic silver all-around and team gold medalist. They toured together after the Olympics and see each other fairly often. But meeting Valeri's daughter was still a thrill that had Marlowe, now a TV analyst for the Utes, feeling like doing a cartwheel.

Nastia understood how Marlowe felt.

"I still feel that way around every famous person," the 19-year-old said as she watched the Utes' meet. Liukin was there to support her best friend, the Utes' Nina Kim, on Kim's Senior Night. The two trained together at World Olympic Gymnastics Academy in Dallas, a gym run by her parents, and Liukin and Kim talk to each other nearly every day.

"I don't feel famous or anything," Liukin said, though she was recognized several times in the Salt Lake City International Airport as she came into town Friday.

"I still feel like the same Nastia Liukin, and I hope people see that I haven't changed my personality just because of my accomplishments."

Certainly she and Kim haven't let Liukin's fame change their relationship. They talk every day, by chat, text or phone. Liukin surprised Kim by coming to the meet, though she'd planned the visit since last summer. She kept it a secret from Kim until two days before, then joined Kim on the floor for her Senior Night introduction and sat at the scorers' table cheering and taking pictures like a fan and wearing a red Ute jersey.

"I'm here tonight," Liukin said Friday, "just to support Nina. This is one of the nights that I wish that my Olympic title wouldn't — I don't know how to put it — wouldn't relate to me because I just want to be here today as her friend to support her. I want them to know I'm Nina's biggest supporter."

Liukin said she is busy traveling to appearances nearly every weekend but kept this one clear for Kim. During the week, Liukin attends Southern Methodist University and trains.