Below is the official list of the 2018 Top 10 Gymnast of the Year brought to you by International Gymnastics Camp. We started with nearly 300 nominations from the 2017-2018 season, then narrowed the list to 100, then to 45, and from your votes and participation, here we are with the Top 10!
I am a 14-year-old gymnast competing Level 10 at MG Elite in Morganville, New Jersey. This past year I lived away from home with a host family because my family lived on Long Island and I believed that the coaches and gymnasts at MG Elite would help me achieve my personal best. I pride myself on being dedicated and determined in everything I do, so this decision did not surprise my family. It was hard living away from home, but it was worth it. I had a great season, thanks to my coaches, Maggie and Vicky, who truly know how to bring the best out of me.
I was 2018 Level 10 NATIONAL FLOOR champion and second on vault. I was also REGIONAL ALL AROUND (38.525) and BARS (9.85) champion and NJ STATE ALL AROUND, BARS and BEAM champion. I also got a 38+ on 5 meets this season and placed first All Around in 5 meets including Parkettes and Fantasia. I also received my highest level 10 beam score (9.8) at the Woga Classic. The icing on the cake was having my bars and beam scores on the top 100 and being nominated to the Top 45 Gymnasts.
I continue to upgrade all my skills and work hard to keep getting better. I especially love bars where my goal is to get a 10.0 and to be one of the best on bars in the country.
I have been very fortunate to have had many successful years in gymnastics. In 2015, I was Level 8 Region 6 Champion and placed first in All Around, Bars, beam and vault. I was also chosen to attend many Elite Developmental Camps. In prior years, I was also Level 7 All Around, Beam and Floor Champ and Level 6 All Around and bars champ. I have verbally committed to UCLA for the class of 2022/23 and can’t wait to be a Bruin!
I am very lucky to be surrounded by great coaches, family and friends that support my passion. Thank you for nominating me for the Top 45 Gymnast of the Year.
I'm 14 years old, I'm competing my first year of Level 10 this season, I train at Olympus Gymnastics in South Jordan, Utah. I’m honored to have been selected as a Gymnast of the Year nominee and thank all those that have helped me get to this point.
I had a great Level 9 season finishing first on Vault and third All Around at the Utah State Championships. I then qualified to the Western Championships after placing second on Vault, Bars and All Around at the Region 1 Championships. I then earned gold medals on vault and bars, a bronze medal on floor, and sixth all around at the Western Championships. A few other fun notable Level 9 accomplishments: 2019 Winter Classic I took 1st place, in my age division, with a 37.0 which also happened to be the highest all-around score of all Level 9’s in the entire meet. At the 24th Annual Northern Lights Classic I qualified to the event finals on bars and took 1st place.
I’m a hard worker, been told I’m easy to coach, I’m extremely humble and take pride in all that I do. I go to public school, in 9th grade, am enrolled in several honors classes, a straight A student, I have 4 sisters, love doing their hair, spending time with my family, camping, fishing, biking, and most of all just being a kid. Oh and I can solve a Rubik’s Cube in less than 2 minutes. I love going to and watching college gymnastics meets. I've not yet decided what I want to be when I get older, though I do know I want to attend college, hopefully on a scholarship, where I can also continue my love for gymnastics by competing at that level. Good luck to all the nominees, it's an amazing honor to be considered for such a notable award.
Caitlin is not your typical gymnast at 5 feet 6 inches. Her gymnastics career began at 3 years old. Caitlin always has a smile on her face and is to quick to make friends with her teammates and fellow competitors. Her compassion and cheery disposition make her an essential component to a positive training environment which we all could use a little more of. She continues to be a role model for young girls who want to be a strong healthy gymnast. This season Caitlin broke a bone in her foot and needed surgery to heal it. Unfortunately, this made her miss her Senior Season, but with love and support from her teammates, she has kept up good spirits. She was in a cast for 6 weeks and a boot for another 6 weeks. She is hoping to regain her leg strength starting in March to be ready for Regionals in April. This is just another speed bump in the road for Caitlin who knows slow and steady wins the race. Patience now will pay off in the long run.
Caitlin had early success in gymnastics winning many events and all-around titles. One of her highlights was winning the Level 8 NC State All- Around title and competing on the State Team in Regional Championships and winning first place with her team. When Caitlin reached level 9 and began to grow several inches every month, she began to question herself about whether or not she could continue to do the sport she loved at the level she wanted. Growth spurts, injuries, and self-doubt began to creep into the picture. Fortunately working with her coaches, teammates and physical therapists, she was able to safely rehab her injuries and train her level 10 skills getting her fire and confidence back. She knew that she wanted to compete college gymnastics one day and did not want to give up on that dream.
She has competed level 10 the past 3 years and competed in two National Championships. She shares her joy for gymnastics with her teammates and choreographs several floor routines for her younger teammates, volunteers at gymnastics camp, and always has time to give a little gymnast a hug or high-five when they get a new skill. Caitlin's work ethic and commitment to gymnastics continue to inspire other girls that don't fit the mold. Don't let others decide your fate, be the best you can be is Caitlin's motto. She is very proud to say she has verbally committed to NC State Gymnastics Team and is truly grateful for all the blessing she has been given.
Caitlin is a well-rounded student that continues to train 24 hours a week at the gym while attending public school, and being involved in extracurricular activities. Caitlin gives back as much as she gets from the sport she has loved for the past 14 years. This is why she is my choice for Gymnast of the Year.
I am so humbled to be nominated for the 2019 Gymnast of the Year! My gymnastics career began in a mommy and me class at 18 months old. By 2yo I was climbing to the top of a 20ft rope to earn the right to pick a trinket from the treasure box. At 6yo I began competing Xcel silver at Gymnastix Training Center in Buford, GA. I advanced each year from Xcel silver to Xcel gold to Level 7,9, and 10. I was a member of the Georgia State Team for Xcel gold (2014) and Level 7 (2015). I also qualified Hopes compulsory in 2016 and 2017.
Gymnastix Training Center discontinued their elite program in 2017 so I made the difficult decision to switch gyms. Jorgen Falk, co-owner of Georgia All Stars, took me under his wing for 4 months and gave me the encouragement I needed to continue the elite path. I finally found "home" at Georgia Elite Gymnastics in September 2017. I had an unforgettable 2018 season which began by earning my Jr. Elite compulsory qualifying score in Myrtle Beach, SC and placing 1st AA. The next elite qualifier was KPAC where I once again placed 1st AA and earned my Jr. Elite optional score and the chance to compete in the American Classic and US Classic.
I ended my 2018 JO Level 10 season at Nationals in Cincinnati, OH finishing 4th AA and being named to the JO National Team. At the conclusion of my 2018 season I sustained an injury which gave me time to reevaluate my goals. I had accomplished a huge goal that I set for myself but no longer felt the elite path was for me. I desperately missed competing with my "team". I petitioned back to JO in 2019 and spent much of the season recovering. I was able to compete at Regionals which qualified me to Nationals where I medaled in bars and beam and placed 11th AA. I am so grateful for the non-competitive opportunities that gymnastics has given me as well. I have attended the US Developmental Team Camp, the JO National Team Camp, 2018 Top Ten GOTY, currently representing Plum Practicewear as a Plum Ambassasor, modeled for the 2018 Ozone Leotard Fashion Show, modeled for Inside Gymnastics Magazine, mentoring young gymnasts, and meeting so many new friends!
I'm so excited for my future in this amazing sport and am focused on my dream of becoming a collegiate gymnast. Everyone has their own unique story....enjoy it and embrace the journey.
I studied the sport of gymnastics as a little girl, hoping one day to actually take classes. I would watch You Tube videos and stare at library book pictures; admiring the beauty of this sport. FINALLY, my parents signed me up, at the age of 10, for my very first recreation class! That was in February 2015. Since then, I have worked really hard to learn as much as I can in a short amount of time! I still study the sport and make goals for myself every season. It seems like yesterday, when I started learning basics on the equipment.
My first season to compete was in 2016 at Level 7. I was able to test out of Levels 2-6 in about 9 months!! My parents and I didn't really understand what that meant as it was happening, though. I just loved learning new skills and my coaches thought I was doing them technically correct. It didn't seem "special" at the time; it just felt "right."
In my level 7 season, it started fantastic! In two meets, I won floor and beam and earned 2nd All Around. Sadly, one day in practice, I fell and broke my elbow. I had to have major elbow surgery and 4 months of rehab. It was so frustrating! As soon as my season started, it was over. But, I fought hard and worked hard to keep a positive attitude, focusing on my future goals. Soon, I was training for Level 8 and moved to Sarasota, FL with my Coach. It was a really big decision and an exciting commitment for my whole family. All of my rehab, and hard work paid off in my Level 8 season in 2017!! It was the first FULL season I had ever competed!! I earned State Champion for Floor and Beam! At Regionals, I won the Floor and All Around Gold!! Last season, in 2018, Level 9 was incredible!! I continued to train hard and learn a lot of new skills. Competing these new skills was definitely challenging, but I embraced the challenge. All season, I was in the top 5 on every event. I won GOLD at every meet but one on floor and beam! I also won All Around at every meet with a high score of the season of 38.500!!
I am the Florida State Champion for Bars, Beam, Floor and ALL Around!! I am the Florida Regional Champion for Beam, Floor and All Around!! Easterns was an amazing experience and I felt so thankful to qualify and compete there. I had a great meet, earning a Silver medal on Floor and 5th All Around. I am currently training Level 10 and hope to qualify as a Junior Elite this 2019 season. Gymnastics continues to feed a deep hunger inside of my heart. That little girl, who just started not too long ago, is still hungry for more!!
At the end of the season in 2017, Jersey realized her skill level had outgrown her coaches and the gym. Jersey decided to move to a much larger facility and train towards fulfilling her goal of becoming a Division 1 College Gymnast. Jersey’s training at World Class Gymnastics Training Center in Newport News, VA started with new coaches, new teammates, and a much larger gym. The coaches at World Class have taught her so much it is immeasurable
2017-2018 Level 8. This was a phenomenal year with her new coaches who pushed her beyond her potential and helped her strive for more. Jersey was nominated as one of Top 10 Gymnast of the Year in 2018 by MSO. It was a privilege for her to represent Meet Scores Online as well as being a World Class Gymnast. 2018 State VA Championship 3rd AA 37.975 2018 VA State Bars Champion 2018 Regionals 2nd AA 38.000, 2nd Floor, 3rd Beam, 4th Bars
2018-2019 Level 9. Jersey has always appreciated the unwavering support of gymnastics and the camaraderie it brings. Jersey was awarded the Most Valuable Gymnast of 2019 by World Class Gymnastics. MSO also nominated Jersey as one of the Top 25 Gymnast of the Year for 2019. 2019 VA State Championships 2nd AA 37.250, 2nd Vault, 2nd Bars, 4th Beam 2019 Regionals 1st AA with a 37.975 2019 Regionals Floor Champion, 2nd Beam 2019 Eastern 8th AA 37.250, 7th Vault
2019-2020 Level 9. Facing the COVID epidemic, most of the meets were cancelled and the season ended abruptly. World Class was able to compete in a few meets before the shutdown. 2019 - 1st AA 36.850 Myrtle Beach Cup 2020 - 1st AA 37.300 New Year Opener, 1st AA 37.375 Everest Classic 2020 - 1st AA 37.500 Excalibur Cup 2020 - 2nd AA 36.725 World Class Invitational, 2nd AA 37.025 Circle of Stars. 2020 – VA State Qualifier (COVID)
2021-2022 Level 10. The season started off qualifying for The Laurie Hernandez Champion Challenge Placing 4th on Bars and Vault. Jersey competed intermittently despite illnesses with Covid and a foot injury early in the season. Jersey returned to complete in States and Regionals, competing in single events. 2022 Star Struck Invitational 4th AA. 2022 World Class Invitational 2nd Floor and Vault, 4th AA 2022. Va State Meet qualified for Regionals (single events injury) participated in Beam and Floor. 2022 Regionals 6th Vault, 13th AA (Injury)
Jersey has always worked extremely hard to balance gymnastic hours with her schoolwork. Keeping her focus on accomplishing her goals and maintaining honor roll throughout elementary, middle, and high school. With class placements in AP as an A, A/B Honor Roll Student. Her achievements include the President's Academic Excellence Award and Academic Achievement Honor Roll Awards. Jersey would like to thank all her coaches for consistently being a positive force. These coaches have inspired her to become not just a better athlete, but a better person as well. They have given her the encouragement, to believe in herself. Jersey has never lost focus of her goals to compete on a Division 1 College Gymnastic Team.
2009 – 2017 Pre-Team - Level 7 Coaches: Jami Edwards, Loni Lane, Talia Cuff.
2018 Level 8 - World Class Coaches: Mary King, Rex Harrison
2019 Level 9 - World Class Coaches: Tami Harrison, Rex Harrison and Beka Conrad
2020 to Present Level 10 - World Class Coaches: Tami Harrison, Rex Harrison and Beka Conrad
Follow me at: https://www.gym-style.com/jerseybingman/
Kennedy Cochran is 11 years old and currently training level 9 at Gold Medal Gymnastics in Chandler, Arizona. She began competing level 3 in 2014. Kennedy has placed at state every year she has competed and taken home 1st place AA in 2017 as a level 6 and 2018 as a level 8. At the end of her level 8 season, Kennedy was selected to be a member of the Level 8, 2018 Arizona State Team. Kennedy placed 1st with a 9.700 on floor at the 2018 Regional Championships. She is very excited for the opportunity to be considered as 2018 Gymnast of the Year.
Kennedy has trained at Gold Medal Gymnastics for her entire gymnastics career under the coaching of her mother - Amanda Borden and Kristin Fanning. Kennedys favorite event to compete is floor, however she enjoys training all events. Throughout her time competing, Kennedy has had the opportunity to travel to other states and attend camps and programs to further her training. While attending those camps, Kennedy has had the chance to be coached by other olympic athletes, olympic coaches, and college gymnasts. She feels fortunate to have had the opportunity to learn from such influential people.
She is continually focusing on her training and nutrition in order to prepare herself for wherever her gymnastics career takes her. She has set a goal for herself to obtain a college scholarship. Outside of gymnastics she loves to travel with her family, spend time with her friends from school and gymnastics, draw, and go shopping with her mom!
Hi, I'm Kyra! I started gymnastics at 3 years old at the YMCA in Joplin, MO where I started competing in a YMCA League at age 5. After moving to Kansas City, I started competing USAG Level 4 at age 6. I currently train at Xtreme Gymnastic and Trampoline in Lee's Summit, MO where in 2018 I finished my 4th year as a Level 10. Some of my Level 10 accomplishments include : JO National Qualifier - 2015 (NIT), 2016 (9th Vault), 2017 (5th Beam, 8th Vault, 18th AA), 2018 (1st Bars, 6th Beam, 1st AA); 2018 JO National Team Member; 2018 Region 4 Vault, Beam and AA Champion. Pushing through many different struggles, I am currently competing my 5th year as a level 10. I am verbally committed to the University of Missouri (Go Tigers!) on a full ride scholarship beginning in 2020-2021. After college I want to go into the medical profession and work with kids(and maybe coach gymnastics too). I currently work at my gym as a Girls Instructional and Xcel Coach and I also help with floor choreography for the Xcel Program. In my spare time I love to draw, make Pinterest crafts, spend time with friends and family and watch Netflix - especially Grey's Anatomy. Gymnastics has given me so many opportunities (like this one!) and taught me so many lessons (determination, commitment, and love) and I can't wait to see what the future holds!
HI, I'm Tatum & I started gymnastics at the age of 2. It took me a few different invitations to join the competitive team at my gym. It was a beautiful pink leo with rhinestones that finally won me over and after competing & winning AA at my first meet I was hooked! I am now training level 10 at Oklahoma City Gymnastics in OKC, OK. My amazing coaches Giovanna (Gou) Romero & Manuel Navarez push me to do my best & to reach my goals.
In 2018, I was the top qualifier for the Oklahoma team that represented our state at the National Judges Cup State Challenge in Portland, OR. I finished 2nd AA at that meet & the Oklahoma team finished 4th. I also received the Nadia Spirit award at the Nadia Comaneci Invitational presented by Nadia herself. As a level 7, I finished 2nd AA at my state meet and ended my season as the Region 3 Bar and Floor champ and 2rd in the AA. As a level 8, I placed 1st AA at all but two of my season meets & qualified to regionals again. At regionals I finished as the Region 3 Sr A bar & floor champion as well as finishing 3rd in the AA with my season best score. As a level 9, I placed 1st AA at state, 4th AA at regionals, and went to Westerns placing 2nd on Beam & 4th in the AA.
Gymnastics has taught me so many things. I have learned about discipline & determination, that sometimes things are hard but fighting through brings so much joy, that courage is not being scared but continuing despite the fear, that the rewards far outshine the disappointments & that failure is only the beginning of success. Gymnastics is so much more than what you see in the Olympics & I am so grateful to be able to be a part of it. I have been blessed to be a part of an amazing gym with an awesome group of girls that have encouraged & continue to encourage me along my journey.
My long term goal is to compete in college & be able to give back to my sport through coaching & judging. It is such a great honor to be nominated for Gymnast of the Year!!! I feel that God has given me a great talent & I hope to give Him all the glory!
Tiana is 11 years old and currently competing Level 10 and preparing for HOPEs season. She started gymnastics at 6yrs old. She is training at San Mateo gymnastics in Belmont CA. She has won the NorCal state Championship 5 times in a row. Past season she competed Level 8 and won both State and Regional Championship. Tiana also qualified to Hopes 10-11 and competed in both American classic and GK U.S Classic.
During her Level 8 Season Tiana hit 4 out 4 routines in every single meet. She scored 38 and above in every meet except her very first meet and placed 1st AA in 6 of 7 meets. At Nor-Cal State Championship Tiana won 1st place in all 4 events and got the highest AA score in the entire meet.
Current update: Soon after her Level 8 season, Tiana scored out Level 9 and started competing Level 10. At her first Level 10 meet Tiana fell 4 times and scored a low 33.9 AA score. With hard work and dedication she started hitting 4 out 4 routines in multiple meets and at the Nor-Cal Level 10 State Championship Tiana scored 37.7 AA. Just like any other gymnast Tiana also suffered from multiple injuries, from a dislocated finger to a torn ligament. She missed out on the HOPEs qualifier in February and was not able to attend the Development camp due to injuries.
Tiana’s goals for this year are to qualify to HOPEs Championship again and to do her very best at the Level 10 Regionals. Tiana’s long term goal is to become an Elite Gymnast.
Apart from gymnastics Tiana loves to travel and visit new places. She loves food and try out new things. Tiana attends public school and is in 6th grade.
Tiana is very excited and honored to be nominated for the Top 25 Gymnast of the Year.
