INDIANAPOLIS, Oct. 7, 2018 – More than 300 gymnasts traveled to Indianapolis, Oct. 5-7, for women’s gymnastics’ 2018 Talent Opportunity Program (TOPS) National Testing held at The Gymnastics Company. The athletes advanced to the national testing because they ranked in the top 100 in their age groups 8 -10 years old in the TOPS State Testing that was held during June, July and August. Participants traveled from 40 states, including Hawaii.
Gymnasts were tested in both physical abilities and skill testing for their respective age groups. Each athlete’s scores will be weighted by age and then ranked. The top 45 gymnasts are named to the TOPS A National Team and the next 60 gymnasts are named to the TOPS B Team. These gymnasts, along with their coaches, will attend the respective TOPS camps in early December at Flip Fest in Crossville, Tenn.
The TOPS program is designed to identify talent at an early age and help guide the coaches through the USA Gymnastics athlete developmental program to the Hopes and Elite programs and possibly making the U.S. National Team.
Seven-year-old gymnasts tested locally within their states on physical abilities only. The top 50 gymnasts were named to the 2018 TOPS Diamond Team.
Gymnasts participated in the two-day testing, and their parents were invited to a parents’ meeting to meet with Annie Heffernon, interim vice president of women’s gymnastics; Dan Baker, national coaching staff member; and Kim Riley, managing director of athlete programs. Each participating athlete received a certificate of achievement and a TOPS t-shirt.