Date: December 10, 2008
Contact: Leslie King, lking@usa-gymnastics.org, 317-829-5656

Tommy Twist Makes Trampoline JumpStart National Team

Tommy Twist, 9, made this year's JumpStart National Team and earned the right to train at the JumpStart National Team Training Camp in Indianapolis, Ind. Twist is from ABC Gymnastics in Indianapolis and trains 25 hours per week. He is coached by Joe Gym, who says, "Tommy is incredible. He is such a dedicated, hard working athlete. He is very focused and I think it's great that he is being recognized as one of the top trampolinists/tumblers for his age group in the country."

USA Gymnastics, the national governing body for gymnastics in the United States, conducts an annual talent opportunity program to identify young athletes who have the ability to excel in the sport of trampoline. Through a series of strength, flexibility, fitness, speed and skills testing, USA Gymnastics identifies 21 trampolinists/tumblers to make up the JumpStart National Team each year.

Tommy, who is a 4th grade student at XYZ Elementary School in Indianapolis just returned from the JumpStart National Training Camp in Dallas. The camp was held December 5-9. While at the camp, Tommy and his coach worked with members of the USA Gymnastics Trampoline & Tumbling Program National Coaching Staff.

"It was a lot of hard work but also a lot of fun," says Tommy. "It was great meeting and working with the National Coaching Staff. It was also fun to meet other athletes who love trampoline/tumbling as much as I do."

Ann Sims, Senior Director of the USA Gymnastics Trampoline & Tumbling Program, commented on the JumpStart National Training Camp by saying, "This program showcases the future stars of trampoline in America. The kids you see today at National Camp will be fighting for spots on the Olympic teams of tomorrow."

JumpStart Testing took place throughout the summer. Approximately 500 trampoline athletes participated at the Regional Level. Out of those 500, 50 trampolinists/tumblers from around the country were invited to JumpStart National Testing. National Testing was held in Chicago, December 4-6 where 18 gymnasts in three age groups (7-8, 9-10 and 11-12) were selected to the JumpStart National Team.

At National Testing, the athletes performed strength and flexibility tests, general fitness tests and skills for speed, as well as required skills and compulsory routines on the trampoline. The scores were tallied and the top 18 athletes were named to the JumpStart National Team.

ABC Gymnastics is owned and operated by Fred Flip and is located at 123 Technology Drive in Indianapolis. For more information on ABC Gymnastics, call 317-111-1111. For more information about the JumpStart Program, visit the USA Gymnastics web site at http://www.usa-gymnastics.org/tt .