HUNTSVILLE, Texas, Oct. 17, 2014 – More than 300 gymnasts from across the United States, including Hawaii, participated in the Talent Opportunity Program (TOPS) National Testing at the USA Gymnastics National Team Training Center at the Karolyi Ranch, an U.S. Olympic Training Site, last weekend. Ages 8 – 10 year old, the young female gymnasts, who represented 128 different clubs, qualified for the national testing through state testing and placing in the top 100 of their age group.
The gymnasts were tested on seven physical abilities stations and skills on the women’s four events. Based on the testing results, USA Gymnastics will name the National TOPS A and B Teams. Approximately 100 of the top athletes will be invited back to the training center to participate in two training camps in early December.
Testing was conducted under the direction of Valeri Liukin, the developmental team coordinator, and evaluated by the TOPS national coaching staff. TOPS is the talent identification program for young female gymnasts, which involves state testing in June and July with the top 300 invited to national testing. Many of the USA’s Olympic and World Championships Team members started their elite journey in the TOPS program, which is currently in its 22nd year.
