CROSSVILLE, Tenn. – Earlier this month, 90 athletes participated in the January 2019 developmental and invitation training camps held at Flip Fest in Crossville, Tenn. Both four-day camps had two training sessions each day, as well as physical abilities testing.

Dan Baker, who was named the elite development coordinator earlier this month, and the national team coaching staff oversaw the camp, which also was a verification camp. During camp, the gymnasts demonstrated new skills, combinations and upgrades. All the gymnasts and coaches are working on final routine construction for the upcoming elite season. Kittia Carpenter, a FIG Brevet judge, evaluated the routines and provided feedback on scores and recommendations on routines to the coaches and athletes.

The developmental camp’s physical abilities testing awards went to Paloma Spiridonova of WOGA, who took first place, followed by Mya Witte of Genie’s Gymnastics and Katelyn Jong of Metroplex Gymnastics, respectively. For invitation camp, Karleigh DiCello of Hill’s Gymnastics placed first in physical abilities testing, with Ly Bui of Iowa Gym Nest and Anaya Rodriguez of Gold Medal Gymnastics in second and third, respectively.

The national coaching staff also chooses a most improved camper at each camp. For January, Azaraya Ra-Akbar of United Gymnastix was selected for the developmental camp and Anaya Rodriguez from Gold Medal Gymnastics for the invitational camp.

The developmental team gymnasts will return to Flip Fest in February in preparation for the 2019 elite competition season. Most hope to participate in either the Hopes or junior elite divisions.