- Coaches: Candy & Mike Kort
- Graduating Year: 2025
- Currently training Level 9/10, Alix Napholz was born on October 25, 2007, to Meegan
and Tom Napholz. Alix got her start in gymnastics at the young age of just 18 months
and wanted to follow in her sister’s footsteps of being a gymnast. In October 2013,
Alix began competing level 2 as a six year old with Precision Gymnastics. Alix competed
level 2 through the spring 2014 season and then went on to compete level 3 during
the 2014-2015 season. Halfway through her level 3 season, Alix began training with
Jersey Shore Elite. At the New Jersey Level 3 State Championships, Alix placed seventh
on beam and eighth all around in a tough age division.
- During the summer of 2015, Alix continued to train new skills and was able to skip
levels 4 and 5 and went on to compete level 6 during the 2015-2016 season. Alix had
a solid level 6 season and concluded her season at the New Jersey State Championships.
As a level 7 during the 2016-2017 season, Alix began her season at the Jingle Bell
Rock Meet where she won the floor title and placed fifth all around. Alix continued
to improve her all around score throughout the season and had a personal best on floor
at state where she earned the bronze medal with a 9.625.
- Alix opened up her 2017-2018 level 8 season at the Kick-Off Classic where she placed
third on beam and floor. Three months later, Alix competed at the New Jersey State
Meet where she went on to qualify for the Region 7 Championships. Alix had her best
meet of the season at regionals, placing fourth on floor and earning a 37.100 in the
all around. Although regionals concluded Alix’s level 8 season, six weeks later Alix
competed in the Auburn National Elite Qualifier. Alix finished the optional qualifier
with a silver medal on floor and a bronze medal on bars. Currently, Alix trains 28.5
hours per week under coach Jacqui Strickland at Jersey Shore Elite Gymnastics. Alix
started off the 2018/2019 season coompeting in the compulsory Elite qualifer at Parketts
in PA. She missed the qualifying score and competed again at the Buckeye Classic in
Ohio. Alix & her Coach decided to finish the season as a level 8 and start training
for level 10. Alix competed at the Pink Invitational in Philadelphia and Placed 1st.
on Bars, Beam, Floor & AA and 3rd. on Vault. She then competed in the toughest age
division in the NJ state meet as a Jr.A She took 8th place on Floor with a 9.5 and
finished with a 36.7 qualifying for the region 7 regionals. Unfortunatley due to a
Patella fracture on her right knee she wont be able to compete. Alix switched gyms
in July of 2019. She is currently training at Arena Gymnastics. She trains 20 hours
per week and will be competing level 9 for the 2019/2020 season.
- Coaches: Hannah Webb & Joshua Williams
- Graduating Year: 2025
- Simone Biles once said, " Be the best me." That is what I try to do each day. I am
currently competing level 8 JO in Region 1, at a Northern California gym. I train
6 days a week through the good and bad, and injuries. I keep my goal in mind of being
the best me. I really feel that the gymnastics has found me as much as I found it.
From the time I was swinging in the park, I loved to tumble, swing, and flip. From
the moment my Mom put me into a summer camp, I loved gymnastics. Thank you to all
the amazing coaches who saw that I loved the sport, and worked to train me. I have
been blessed with people who believe in me as much as I believe in my dream too. People
say I am a good teammate, as I want each of my teamates to be the best them. I believe
in team and helping each other and cheer our successes and giving hugs in our times
of need. I remember watching the Olympics and dreaming of the day I get to do the
amazing skills they make look so easy. Practice empowers you and gives you the confidence
to believe in yourself. I believe in my dream of being a College gymnast one day.
I want to study hard, and enjoy flipping as I always have. I have been honored to
be nominated for GOTY. I was 2019 Level 7 #1 AA score in the nation as well as #1
in floor, and #1 in vault. I also was the 2018 Level 6 highest AA score in the nation
too. I am training hard to be better than yesterday and to overcome the obstacles
that come my way.
- Coaches: Alison Vaughn, Staci Stevens
- Graduating Year: 2025
- Ava Griffith got her start in gymnastics at the age of two in mommy and me classes.
When Ava turned four, she started to get bored in recreational classes and was invited
to join the pre-team. Within a few months of pre-team, Ava joined the level 3 team
just as she was turning six. Shortly after, Ava and her family moved due to her father's
job in the Marine Corps. With no gyms closer than an hour, Ava tumbled at a local
dance studio. After over two years of tumbling at the studio, her coach said that
she needs to get into a gym, which is when Ava began training at Aftershock. Ava began
competing Xcel Bronze in the spring of 2016 and finished first on vault, second all
around, and third on beam and floor at the SoCal State Championships. After competing
Xcel Bronze, Ava was moved up to level 3. Ava competed three meets of level 3 during
the fall 2016 season, winning two of them. Halfway through her level three season,
Ava's family moved to Brazil. After training for nine months in Brazil, Ava's family
decided to send her to live with her aunt in Florida and train at Evo Athletics. During
the 2018 season, Ava competed level 6 with Evo. At her first meet, the CGA Coaches
Spectacular, Ava won the beam and all around titles. Ava continued to have a great
season and went on to win the Florida State beam and all around titles. From state,
Ava advanced to the Region 8 Championships where she won the beam and floor titles.
Following her 2018 season, Ava's family moved to Rome, Italy and Ava joined them.
During her time in Rome, Ava trained at Gymnastics Romana. In the fall of 2018, Ava
and her family returned to California and Ava began training at Aftershock Gymnastics
once again. Ava competed level 7 during the 2019 season and opened up her season at
the Arizona Grand Invitational where she won the bars and all around titles. In March,
Ava competed level 8 at International Gymnix and finished second on beam. One week
later, Ava competed at the SoCal State Championships as a level 7 where she brought
home a bronze medal on floor and fifth place finish in the all around. Ava concluded
her season at the Region 1 Championships with a fantastic performance, earning her
season highs on vault, bars, beam, and in the all around and winning the bars, beam,
floor, and all around titles. Currently, Ava trains 34 hours per week under coaches
Alison Vaughn and Staci Stevens at Aftershock Gymnastics. Ava is working on perfecting
her Hopes skills and has a goal to qualify Hopes in 2020. In the future, Ava hopes
to qualify elite and earn a college scholarship for gymnastics.
- Coaches: Kathy Strate, Gibran Campos, Danielle Albright, Ryan Covo
- Graduating Year: 2025
- I am a 15 year old Level 10 gymnast at SCEGA Gymnastics. I came to SCEGA Gymnastics
in 2015 as an 8 year old level 4 and a TOPs kid. My first year I made it to TOPs National
Testing, and completed my Level 4 season as the SoCal State Beam and Floor Champion.
In 2017 I scored out of Level 5 and moved to Level 7, and continued my TOPs journey.
My second year I made TOPs B Team and invited to Development Invite Camp. For Level
7, I was the SoCal State Beam Silver Medalist and Region 1 Regional Beam Champion.
I performed a 9.95 beam routine at the Long Beach Open!
- In 2018, I moved on to Level 8 and did my last year in TOPs as a 10 year old. I was
a TOPs A Team Member, attended A Camp and won Physical Abilities. I was the Level
8 SoCal State Bar Champion, and Floor Silver Medalist, and the Region 1 Regional Bar
and Beam Champion, and the Floor and AA Silver Medalist. 0
- In 2019, I competed as a Level 9. What a great season! I was the Level 9 SoCal State
Beam Champion, Bars and AA Bronze Medalist. I went on to Regionals and had my best
meet of the season! I was the Region 1 Regional Beam, Floor and AA Champion, Bars
Bronze Medalist, with an AA score of a 38.275. And I hit my beam routine with a 9.90!
I qualified to Westerns, but unfortunately due to illness, I was not able to attend.
1
- In 2020, I worked hard to compete as a Level 10. I had all my routines ready to go,
but broke 4 toes right before season started. In order to get back out there, my coaches
made the decision to compete level 9 again, and I was excited to try for Westerns,
since I missed it the year before. I competed bars and beam in 3 meets, winning beam
each time (high score of 9.825) and bars once (high score of 9.60). Unfortunately,
right as I was ready to add vault and floor back in before State meet, the country
shut down for Covid. As we all know, post season was completely canceled. 2
- Here we are at the beginning of 2021, and I made it to Level 10! So far, I started
the season at Fiesta Bowl and competed all 4 events. I hit all routines, and won bars
(9.725) and floor (9.775), 2nd on beam (9.60). It was especially exciting because
I debuted a new floor routine that I love! I came in 2nd AA (37.90). My hope is to
have a successful season and make it to Nationals as a first year level 10.
- Coaches: Ryan Kirkham, Jessie McDonough, Tasmin Finn
- Graduating Year: 2023
- 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.
- Coaches: Mary Carlson, Alicia Boren, & Sergey Malakhov
- Graduating Year: 2024
- Hi! I'm Brooke and I'm a level 10 at Sun Country Gymnastics in Gainesville, FL. I
started out gymnastics when I was very little and just fell in love with the sport.
The amazing environment with friends and coaches really motivates me each day to continue
learn and grow! I am in eighth grade and super excited to compete my first season
as a level 10! In my previous season, I qualified to level 9 Easterns where I won
Beam (9.775) and got third in the all-around! My long-term goal in gymnastics is to
earn a full ride scholarship for collegiate gym! I am going to build off my Level
9 season and go in confident and well prepared to build my future as a gymnast.
- Coaches: Adam Duncan and Sonia Haiou
- Graduating Year: 2025
- I am 12 years old and training level 10 and Hopes at WOGA in Frisco, TX. I am in
the 7th grade and I currently train 30 hrs a week.. I started gymnastics when I was
6yrs old.
- Coaches: Ashot Gasparyan and Melia O’Quinn
- Graduating Year: 2023
- Genesis got started in gymnastics at the age of seven as she showed an interest in
the sport and was very energetic as a child. Genesis began competing in the fall of
2015 as a level 4. At her first meet, Genesis won the floor title and took second
on beam and in the all around. Three months later at the NorCal State Championships,
Genesis took home silver medals on beam, floor, and in the all around. As a level
5 in 2016, Genesis had a fantastic season and won the vault, beam, floor, and all
around titles at the NorCal State Championships. Genesis began her optional career
in 2017 as a level 6 at the Red Heart 10.0 Invitational where she took second on bars
and floor, and third all around. Genesis finished up her season at the NorCal State
Championships where she had a great meet and won the vault, floor, and all around
titles as well as second on bars and beam. In 2018, Genesis competed level 7 and went
on to defend her state championship all around title as well as first on vault at
state. Genesis also qualified to be a member of the NorCal State Team for the Region
1 Championships. At regionals, Genesis took second on vault and third on floor and
in the all around. As a level 8 in 2019, Genesis began her season at the Lady Luck
Invitational and came home with the vault title. Two months later at the NorCal State
Championships, Genesis came in first on floor, second on vault, and third all around
and qualified for the Region 1 Championships. Genesis had her best meet of the season
at the Region 1 Championships taking first on vault, beam, floor, and in the all around
and taking second on bars, concluding a great season. Currently, Genesis trains 24
hours per week under coaches Melia O'Quinn and Ashot Gasparyan at San Mateo Gymnastics.
In the future, Genesis' goal is to earn a college scholarship to a top Division 1
gymnastics program.
- Coaches:
- Graduating Year:
- 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 immeasurable0
- 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 Bars1
- 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 Vault2
- 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)3
- 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)4
- 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.5
- 2009 – 2017 Pre-Team - Level 7 Coaches: Jami Edwards, Loni Lane, Talia Cuff.6
- 2018 Level 8 - World Class Coaches: Mary King, Rex Harrison7
- 2019 Level 9 - World Class Coaches: Tami Harrison, Rex Harrison and Beka Conrad 8
- 2020 to Present Level 10 - World Class Coaches: Tami Harrison, Rex Harrison and Beka
Conrad 9
- Follow me at: https://www.gym-style.com/jerseybingman/10
- Coaches: Cleo Washington
- Graduating Year: 2024
- Kaliya Lincoln, also known as 'Liya', is a Junior Elite gymnast @ Airborne Gymnastics
in Santa Clara, California.
- Coaches: Ashley Umberger, Heather Moroz, Ivan Taskov, Faith Baranowski
- Graduating Year: 2023
- Kate Menake got her start in gymnastics at the age of three in a toddler class. She
loved to hang on the bars and took to the sport right away. Kate began competing in
2013 as a level 3 with Flippin Out Gymnastics and went on to finish third on bars
and beam at the New Jersey State Championships. The following season Kate competed
level 4, her final compulsory season, and had a great season. At three meets, Kate
brought home the all around title and finished third on bars and fourth on floor at
state.
- Following her level 4 season, Kate began training at North Stars Gymnastics and competed
level 7 during the 2016 season. Kate began her optional career at the 1st Sectional
and finished first on bars, beam, and in the all around. Throughout the rest of the
season, Kate finished in the top 4 in the all around and went on to win the beam title
and place fourth all around at the New Jersey State Championships.
- Competing level 8 during the 2016-2017 season, Kate began her season at Christmas
On The Chesapeake where she won the bars and floor titles and finished second on beam
and in the all around. In March, Kate competed at states where she brought home a
silver medal on vault. From states, Kate qualified to the Region 7 Championships and
finished first on bars.
- Kate competed her first year of level 9 during the 2018 season but unfortunately was
only able to compete three meets during the season. Kate came back strong for the
2019 season beginning her season at the Garden State Classic where she won the bars
title and came in second on beam. Two months later at the New Jersey State Championships,
Kate brought home the gold medal on bars and bronze in the all around and qualified
to regionals. At regionals, Kate had a fantastic meet and won the bars and all around
titles as well as a second place finish on beam and punched a ticket to the Eastern
Championships. Kate concluded her season at Easterns earning a silver medal on bars.
Currently, Kate trains 25 hours per week under coach Ashley Umberger at North Stars
Gymnastics in New Jersey.
- Coaches: Hanah Egan
- Graduating Year: 2025
- Hello, my name is Lilla and I am very excited to be nominated for Gymnast of the Year
amongst so many great gymnasts. I am a full time middle school student and attend
gymnastics practice 6 days a week. I am currently competing level 8 for San Mateo
Gymnastics. I started in mommy and me gymnastics at age 2 while watching my older
sister at regular practice and knew gymnastics was for me! Luckily I got the chance
to join the JO team and started competing level 3 at age 6.
- Some highlights have been representing Norcal at the National Judges Cup as a level
7, and being on the Norcal State teams (Level 6 and 7) at Region 1 Championships.
My favorite times have been traveling with the Norcal Judges Cup team where I got
to be on a team with other gymnasts from Northern California, and watch great gymnastics
from all around the country. I also love traveling with my own club team and visiting
other parts of the country!
- Gymnastics has affected so many parts of my life. I have learned to focus and not
give up on skills that are challenging to me. I have learned to work through injury
and how to balance a full school schedule and sports. I always try to improve my gymnastics
for each day, meet and level. In my opinion, gymnastics is a sport that requires perseverance
because even if you don’t do as well as you wanted there is always a chance to get
better. The best reward of being a gymnast is working hard and seeing results and
getting to learn new skills.
- I am thankful to my coaches, family, and team mates for their support and hard work
in helping me be the best gymnast I can be!
- Coaches: Bart and Lori Roskoski
- Graduating Year: 2024
- My name is Lily Pederson, I am a 13 year old Junior Elite gymnast. I train at Flips
in White Bear Lake, Minnesota. My coaches are Bart and Lori Roskoski. I train approximately
25 hours per week while still attending public school. I started gymnastics when I
was 5 years old. I was moved to the level 3 team when I was 6 years old. Once I competed
in my first real meet as a level 3 I was hooked! I achieved my goal of becoming an
elite gymnast in January of 2020. I hope to make it all the way to the US Championships
and place well enough to make the Junior National Team!
- I started taking classes at Flips when I was 6 years old. I made it to team level
3 when I was 7 years old. At 8 years old I moved to level 4 and qualified for state.
When I was 9 years old I moved up to level 5 and again qualified for state, where
I won the floor state championship for my age group. That same year I skipped level
6 and was moved to the level 7 team, which had already started their season. I trained
with the level 7 team for about 2 weeks before competing in my first level 7 meet,
where I qualified for state again! After level 7 state I moved to level 8. Our level
8 team had an undefeated season, capping it off by winning the state championship,
Flips first ever!0
- I was also named to the Minnesota Super 8 team that year. After level 8 regionals
were over I began working on my level 9 skills, with my goal to compete as a level
9 and make it back to regionals and then to Westerns. I ended up scoring out of level
9 at my first meet of the season and moving directly to level 10. I was 11 years old,
Flips youngest ever level 10 gymnast! While competing as a first year level 10 I was
also training for my first year in HOPES. I managed to not only qualify to regionals
as the youngest level 10 in the state of Minnesota but I also made it to nationals!!
I placed 5th in the all around at my very first ever nationals!! I also qualified
to the HOPES Classic, where I placed 2nd and advanced to the HOPES Championship.
- At the HOPES Championship I placed 4th and was named to the HOPES National Team!!
That summer I was invited to the USAG developmental training camp in Tennessee. I
have been attending camp ever since. My goals for 2019 are to make it back to nationals
again and this time finish even higher. I have already qualified to the HOPES Classic
for the second year. My goal for HOPES is to win the HOPES Classic and the HOPES Championship.
My goals for 2020 are to qualify as a Junior Elite and make it to the USAG Championships
and to be invited to national training camp. My long-term goals are to receive a scholarship
to a D1 school and to compete for the USA at the Olympics in 2024 or 2028!!!
- Coaches: Chris Kelly, Loana Cruz, and Katrina Zuniga
- Graduating Year: 2023
- Hi! I am Lorelei Dalton, Level 9, Flight School Gymnastic., I began gymnastics when
I was 4 because I was climbing the walls and tumbling on the furniture. My coach came
over to find out why I was in a Rec. class after the first week. I moved to pre-team
and kept learning skills. I didn’t join the team until I moved gyms to my current
gym Flight School Gymnastics in Torrance, CA. I really enjoy learning new skills.
I think my favorite event is bars, but I love all the events. I love training and
hope to continue through college. I was the Region 1 Level 7 Floor and AA champion
in 2018. I was SoCal State Level 8 Bars champion and Region 1 Vault, Floor, and AA
champion with 2nd place finishes on bars and beam for 2019. I have just begun my Level
9 season and I’m working hard for a great season.
- I spent about a year out of the gym when I was seven years old. I wasn't really out
of the gym, I attended a recreation gym with my very first coach while I was waiting
for my new gym to open. I did my best to keep my skills with limited equipment. I
still go visit my first coach. I think she has influenced me to learn to be a coach.
- I have two brothers, Grady 15 and Rhys 9, that are always there to support me along
with my parents. My little brother goes to all my meets so he can keep score for the
team. I attend San Pedro High School Visual and Performing Arts Magnet class of 2023.
I am a freshman with honors classes and one of only two 9th graders in the honors
Algebra 2 class. I currently have a 4.0 GPA. I am not completely sure what I want
to be when I grow up, but physical therapy or teaching are some thoughts right now.
I'd really like to coach and own a gym of my own someday.
- Coaches: Ryan Kirkham & Jessie Mcdonough
- Graduating Year: 2024
- Lundyn Vandertoolen is a gymnast from Olympus Gymnastics in UT. I competed level 10
last year and was the state Champion. After that unfortunately I fractured by foot
in 2 places and couldn't compete at Regionals. I am currently working to qualify Jr.
Elite this year. I am also competing level 10. I ABSOLUTELY love competing.
- I am the youngest of 4 girls and my sisters call me Stinky. I love to wear footie
pajamas all the time and anything fuzzy. I have a huge collection of stuffed animals
that take up almost half of my room. I started gymnastics at the age of 5. I have
a very quite voice and a funny personality. I am very superstitious in all things.
- I love people and God always is first in my life. I am very active in serving in my
church and serving others. I am so very grateful for the talent that God has blessed
me with. I have a goal to make the national team and compete internationally. Also,
I really want to compete on a college team. Follow me on instagram at @lundynv2024
- Coaches: Katreece Stone
- Graduating Year: 2024
- I am a level 10 gymnast competing for Head Over Heels in Emerville, California. I
was introduced to gymnastics at the age of 8 at a summer camp and fell in love with
the sport. Shortly after the summer camp I was invited to compete for a JO team. I
started the sport much later than most of my teammates and have worked hard to build
the foundation, strength and technique needed to learn new skills. I am thankful for
my coaches who push me to do my best every day, the support of my parents and my amazing
teammates who I have been blessed to share this journey with.
- My journey has not always been easy gymnastics is a sport that requires hard work,
commitment and dedication. Currently I train 6 days a week and commute 2 hours each
day to gym. I started homeschooling in middle school to have a more flexible schedule
to better balance my gymnastics and academic work. Over the years I have learned to
develop time management skills and discipline. Like most gymnast every season there
are skills that don’t always come easy, the experience of working hard to achieve
or perfect a skill and reaching that goal is what I’m most proud of.
- In level 5 and 7, I made the NorCal State Team. In Level 7, I accomplished one of
my goals which was to represent NorCal as a member of the State Team at the Region
1 Championship. In 2019 my level 7 scores placed on Americas Top 100 scores: Bars:
9.850, Beam: 9.800, AA score 38.875. As I look back it’s the journey that I am most
proud of. Hard work and perseverance always pays off. In the future, my long term
goal is to earn a college scholarship to a top Division 1 gymnastics program.
- Coaches: Giovanna Romero & Manuel Navarez
- Graduating Year: 2023
- 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!
- Coaches: Melia O'Quinn and Ashot Gasparyan
- Graduating Year: 2020
- My name is Tia Agdeppa Ravara. I was born on April 18, 2002 in Fremont, CA to George
and Teodorie Ravara with two younger sisters, Geordie who is a 15-year old actress
and singer, and Rylie Anne, an 11-year-old aspiring Computer Engineer. I am first
year Level 10 gymnast at San Mateo Gymnastics in Belmont, California and coached by
Melia O’Quinn and Ashot Gasparyan. I practice 4 hours a day, 6 days a week. I am a
graduating senior at Bishop O’Dowd High School. I have committed to University of
Wisconsin-Eau Claire Gymnastics Team, and have been admitted to their Pre-Med Program.
- How did I start gymnastics? During our annual family camping trip in 2007, I kept
doing pull-ups on every tree I came across, so my mom said I needed to try gymnastics
and enrolled me in a recreational gymnastics class. At the end of class, a JO coach
asked me to try out for the team. I tried out and successfully joined the development
team at Top Flight Gymnastics and at my very first meet, Gypsy Invite, I won first
place on Beam with a 9.200 score. I then placed second on Vault at the Level 4 NorCal
State Championships under the coaching of Olga Pantelus, Beth Strong, and Tatyana
Pantelus.0
- I moved to Pacific West Gymnastics in April 2010 under following coaches: Level 5:
Hanako Miura, Michelle Largen, Jen Apodaca, Alan Fujinami, Donna Craig, and Maria
Traggio Rivera Level 6: Jenn Battaglia, Rodica Apateanu and Maria Traggio Rivera,
Level 7: Jenn Battaglia, Rodica Apateanu Level 8: Jenn Battaglia, Rodica Apateanu,
and Liviu Mazilu Level 9: Kelsey Witten and Hanako Miura During the eight years at
Pacific West, I earned 12 Gold, 16 Silver, and 13 Bronze medals in Zone/State/Regional/Western
Championships. 1
- In May 2018, I moved to San Mateo Gymnastics, and competed in Levels 9 and 10, earning
2 Gold,1 Silver, and 2 Bronze medals in State/Regional/Western Championships.2
- Gymnastics has been a part of my life since I was Kindergarten. Over the years, I
chose gymnastics over friend’s birthday parties, playdates, school dances, football
games, friend get togethers, movies, watching TV, study groups, and even sleep. To
me, the 24 hours in six days every week is worth it. I love the rush of swinging through
the air between bars, flipping in the air onto a 4-inch beam, running at full speed
to the vault table, and dancing to classical music. I am a Gymnast, but I am also
a Black Belt, a Teacher, a Coach, a future doctor, and so much more! 3
- Honesty. Integrity. Perseverance. Self-control. Indomitable Spirit. Those are the
five words I have learned throughout my nine years leading up to my Tae Kwon Do Black
Belt. Though I no longer attend classes every week, those five words have been ingrained
into my being. Today, I stand tall knowing I do my best to uphold the five tenets
of Tae Kwon Do.4
- I have been blessed to have an opportunity to attend Bishop O’Dowd High School through
the Presidential Scholarship Award, Bay Scholars Award, Knights of Columbus Scholarship,
Black Catholic Ministry Award, FACE (Family Aid - Catholic Education), Knights of
Peter Claver Ladies Auxiliary Scholarship, as well as additional Financial Aid through
the school. No words of thanks truly reflect my gratitude for the education and community
I obtain here. Therefore, I must give thanks through my actions.5
- At Bishop O’Dowd, I’m an advanced leader in the Campus Ministry Team (CMT) and an
executive member on the Filipino Club. In CMT, we organize the spiritual service,
create skits to translate the Catholic readings into a universal understanding for
the school community, prepare charity drives, leading prayer in the morning, and participate
in the Freshman and Sophomore Retreats. During the Frosh retreat, I lead a small group
of freshmen in discussions about their high school life to help them better understand
each other, connect with others, and branch out. In Filipino Club, I’m part of the
executive council, where I’m in charge of helping the freshmen to learn the choreography
to our tinikling dance. I serve as Dragon Ambassador at my school because I believe
Bishop O’Dowd is an amazing educational institution, the teachers are phenomenal,
the community is family, and I love sharing this with others.6
- Outside of school, I do community service at my church. I am an altar server, where
I help the priest during a liturgy. I’ve been doing this so long that I’ve been asked
to teach younger kids how to altar serve. I have started my second year of being a
Faith Formation teacher, where I teach 4th-8th graders about the Catholic Sacrament
of Reconciliation. I’ve found that I love working with kids and being around their
energy puts a smile on my face. I helped coach Track and Field for All Saints Catholic
Youth Organization (CYO). I was in charge of organizing the kids so they could run
their race or do their field event. During the summers, as a Black Belt, I also teach
TaeKwonDo to children in Grades TK-8. Coaching kids on sports is another joy for me.
I love seeing the excitement when a child learns a new skill after struggling to master
it. Serving my church is the gift I give to God who blesses me with everything in
my life.7
- I hate to admit it, but Reading is not my best friend. I can read and I do enjoy it;
however, it does not come easy, especially after coming home at 9:30pm from a 4-hour
gymnastics practice everyday. Despite these facts, I still maintain a 3.83 cumulative
GPA. I am more of a Math and Science girl. I dream of becoming a Pediatrician and
know that would entail a lot of reading (to say the least). I will continue to work
hard to get there. To me, becoming a doctor is like learning a new gymnastics skill.
I will fall learning new skills, I will be frustrated; I will even be bruised and
scraped, but in time and hard work, I will get it and be great.8
- I am not perfect nor am I the best. I am simply a girl with dreams and the focus and
drive to achieve them!9
- 10
- Academic Awards:11
- Member of the National Honor Society12
- First Honor Roll for every HS semester13
- Active Member California Scholarship Federation (CSF) for every semester14
- 15
- Volunteer Highlights:16
- All Saints Church: Faith Formation Teacher and Altar Server17
- TaeKwonDo: Black Belt Teacher18
- Track & Field: CYO Track & Field Assistant Coach19
- 20
- Official Website http://gym-style.com/tiaravara/about.htm21
- Videos from Pre-team in 2007 to Present, including every competition in between: https://tinyurl.com/TiaRavara22
- Resume: https://tinyurl.com/tiaravararesume201923
- Coaches: Pete Arenas, Myia Hambrick
- Graduating Year: 2023
- Whitney Michelle Bjerken was born in Atlanta, Georgia, on March 4, 2005. She was a
speedy delivery and has not slowed down since. Whitney has two brothers and one sister,
Sterling (18), Braxton (13), and Blakely (11). She also has a dog named Houston. Whitney
played soccer and took ballet like everybody else when she was 3 and 4 years old,
and then her mom put her into cheerleading. Whitney loved cheerleading and found out
she was pretty good at doing cartwheels and the splits. As a result, Whitney decided
to try gymnastics after the cheerleading season was over...and she has never looked
back. Whitney is now a level 10 gymnast at Georgia Elite Gymnastics and is in the
gym 5 days a week. Whitney loves gymnastics and she has always been a hard worker.
These two facts combined with excellent coaching has led Whitney to great success
in the sport to date. Whitney has won the All-Around Georgia State Championship 4
times and has won the Region 8 All-Around Championship twice. When Whitney was just
5 years old, her family started uploading videos of her gymnastics meets on YouTube
so that her grandparents, who live in Minnesota, could watch her compete. Whitney’s
videos were discovered on the internet and some of her videos started to go viral.
Whitney continued to make videos and now her YouTube channel has more than 1.24 million
subscribers with over 465 million views. Whitney tries to make videos that will help
girls understand the world of gymnastics, or at least her experience in it. Whitney
is also a talented musician who plays the piano, guitar, and writes her own songs.
She released her debut album in December, 2019 entitled Disappear. Like almost every
competitive gymnast, Whitney has had her share of injuries through the years. Unfortunately,
she acquired osteochondritis dissecans of the capitellum in her right elbow in 2018
which eventually let to surgery. She missed the 2018 competition season and had to
endure a year long recovery from the surgery. She fought back and returned to form
just in time for the 2019 competition season. Whitney had an incredible year winning
the All-Around at The Gala, her first meet back. In fact, she hit every routine of
the entire season, until her final bar routine at JO Nationals where she overshot
her pak. Unfortunately, Whitney’s osteochondritis dissecans returned in her right
elbow and she had reconstructive surgery in December of 2019. Whitney was presented
with the option to retire from the sport, but laughed at the thought of it and plans
to be back and better than ever in 2020. "You may see me struggle, but, you will NEVER
see me QUIT."
- Coaches: Victoria Levine To Edit
- Graduating Year: 2026
- When I was 5 years old, I watched Gabby Douglas compete in the 2012 Olympics. I was
mesmerized, from that day on I have dreamed of the Olympics. I am the youngest of
5 children, and began telling my siblings I was going to the Olympics. To get support
from my family and friends I taught myself to do back handsprings and aerials.
- A few years later my parents took me serious and signed me up for recreational class
at a local gym. After a few months, my mom decided I needed to be challenged more.
She researched other gyms in the state and took me to North Stars where I began competing
in less than 6 months. I competed level 4 successful, and became state champ on floor
exercise and second overall. The following year I switched gyms and went to MG Elite,
where I competed level 7 and finished 3rd overall at states. My third year competing
has been the best by far. I successfully competed level 8, accomplishing several amazing
goals this year. I managed to score a 39.025 at the Parkettes Invitational I came
in 1st place on vault, floor and bars and 3rd on beam and 1st overall.
- Woga Classic was another exceptional meet, I scored 38.925 and came in 1st on every
event. My other meets were equally as exciting I scored 38's at all with the exception
of 1, and placed 1st or 2nd overall at every meet. My first visit to Regional's was
absolutely amazing I finished 1st on vault, beam and floor, and second overall. My
proudest moment is ranking 2nd and 4th on America's top 100 level 8 gymnast. I am
extremely honored to be a contender for gymnast of the year!
- Coaches: Armen Astoian and Oksana Bystrova
- Graduating Year: 2025
- Lydia started competing Level 3 just before her 8th birthday. The following year she
competed Levels 4, 5 and 6 and also 9 y/o TOPS testing, earning a spot on the TOPS
B team. At 10 Lydia competed Level 7 and also made the TOPS A team, earning third
place in physical abilities at camp. In 2018 she competed Level 8 and did well, taking
second place at States and in the Region 1 championships. In 2019 she had a strong
Level 9 season, winning all of her regular season competitions and taking first at
State. Coming back from an injury in 2020 she repeated Level 9 until COVID ended the
season. Lydia competed Level 10 in 2021, placing third at Region One Regionals and
qualifying for nationals, where she placed 14th in the Junior B division.
- In addition to gymnastics, Lydia loves math and is active in the National Charity
League and Scouts BSA. She aspires to do gymnastics in college.0
- 1
- Coaches: Armen Astoian, Oksana Bystrova
- Graduating Year: 2026
- During the 2015 National TOPs Testing (where she made TOPS A Team) she got invited
to Developmental Invite Camp.0
- That year she also competed level 4 in spring and level 5 in fall. 1
- Milana became an absolute all-around champion at 2015 NorCal level 5 South State Championships
showing the highest score of the meet (300 gymnasts total), and making State Team.2
- In 2016 at the NorCal levels 6 & 7 South State Championships at the age of 8 Milana
once again showed the highest AA score of the meet (450 total gymnasts), and again
made State Team. 3
- That year she attended all 3 Developmental Invite Camps (with an invitation to come
back in 2017).4
- In spring 2017 at age 9 Milana had a strong level 8 season, making State Team, and
bringing home AA silver from Region 1 levels 8-10 Regional Championships (with the
highest AA score of all fellow level 8 NorCal gymnasts). 5
- In June 2017 Milana joins Developmental Camp led by Valeri Liukin and National Coaching
Staff at Olympic Training Center in Texas.6
- Two weeks following the camp Milana injures her left knee and withdraws from training
for 10 months, skipping 2018 season, and withdrawing from Hopes Elite Training.7
- Due to the injury Milana had to turn down invitations to join July and October Developmental
Camps.8
- Milana comes back in 2019 and has a strong level 9 season where she makes Sate Team,
Regional team, and qualifies for Westerns.
- Following an elbow injury in May, she is cleared to come back in late August. Milana
is repeating level 9 in her 2020 season.
- Coaches: Zvonimir Bosnjak and Tatiana Abramova
- Graduating Year: 2023
- Sophia began her gymnastics career at a mommy and me class at the age of 2 .She was
always climbing and jumping like a little gymnast. She starting competing at the age
of 5 and has been competing ever since. With a few injuries along the way, she was
always determined, strong willed, and focused to keep persevering through the difficult
times. Gymnastics has been such a key part of her life and has taught her life skills,
confidence, and knowing what it is like to find a love and passion for something.
She continues to set her goals and find her way as a gymnast and a person. She has
been training hard as a level 10 gymnast for the last 3 years. Sophia would love to
receive a scholarship to her college of choice one day. She has been traveling in
the summer and attending a few summer college camps in hopes of some recognition and
experience at collegiate level. Her favorite event is beam because she gets to preform
and show her artistic talent. Sophia continues to train at Phoenix Gymnastics in Old
Bethpage, NY five days a week 4 hours a day, with her teammates. Besides Gymnastics,
her passions are art, traveling, music, biking, and using whatever spare time she
has to hang out with her friends. She ended her year with great success. She came
in 1st place AA at Regional with a 37.90. States with a 37.775 (3rd place) and 37.525
at Nationals. She continues working towards her goals and becoming the best she can
be.
- Coaches: Tammy and Sorin Salcianu, Trevor Rubino, Cheri Shipp
- Graduating Year: 2023
- Born in Richland, WA in January 2004, Tirzah started attending gymnastics classes
with her daycare provider at age two because “she had too much energy” and was climbing
the door frames. She started in toddler gymnastics at Garland’s Gymnastics Academy
in Kennewick, WA and progressed with Coach Brett Garland and Coach Erin Piel to their
pre-team class. When she was five, she transitioned to the TOPs program at Mid-Columbia
Gymnastics with Coaches Todd Sawyer and Jeanine Ruby and began homeschooling through
Seton Home Study School starting with kindergarten. She began competing in level five
when she was seven. Tirzah qualified for TOPs National Testing and traveled to the
Karolyi Ranch at ages 8, 9, 10 and attended TOPs development camp at the ranch at
age 9.
- As Tirzah moved up through J.O. levels 7, 8, and 9 she never lost sight of her dream
to become an elite gymnast. With the help of Coach Angie Jefferson at All-American
Gymnastics in Richland, WA, and at the advice of national coaching staff, in 2016
she attended a try-out at Salcianu Elite Gymnastics in Henderson, NV. Subsequently,
she and her family moved to Nevada in September of 2016 to begin training with Tammy
and Sorin Salcianu and their team in Henderson, NV. In February 2019, she qualified
junior elite compulsory at the Rocky Mountain Qualifier in Salt Lake City, UT. She
qualified elite compulsory again at the Peppermint Twist Qualifier in Minneapolis
in December 2019. Currently she is training level 10/elite with coaches Tammy and
Sorin Salcianu, Trevor Rubino, and Cheri Shipp, and working towards junior elite optional
qualifiers in 2020.
