LAS VEGAS, Nev., Dec. 14, 2005 – Based on the JumpStart National Testing, 30 gymnasts qualified for the 2006 JumpStart National Teams for trampoline and tumbling.
Of the 30 on the national squad, 13 qualified for both the trampoline and tumbling teams: Megan Alders of Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif./World Elite; Jessica Allen of Kenner, La./Elmwood; Erika Aufiero, Sparks, Nev./Legacy T&T; Savannah Bailey of Loveland, Ohio/Queen City T&T; Brittany Caddell of Levelland, Texas/Acrospirits; Ashlyn Edwards of Orange, Texas/Horizons; Anna Filipcic of Omaha, Neb./Dave’s Gymnastics Factory; Hannah Nowak of Terre Haute, Ind./Elite Energy; Kiara Nowlin of Oxnard, Calif./Gold Coast Gymnastics; Tori Occhipinti of Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif./World Elite; Samantha Salois of Flower Mound, Texas/Excite!; Christopher Swaim of Paris, Texas/TX T&T Institute; and Cassidy Tollner of Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif./World Elite.
For trampoline, Bethany Poole of Pantego, Texas/Joy’s Gym Dallas, Tristan Van Natta of Shelbyville, Ind./Ultra Stars Flipside, and Edwards were named to their third straight JumpStart National Team. In addition, six have made their second straight national team: Morgan Ross of Reno, Nev./Legacy T&T, Sean Sargent of Mason, Ohio/Queen City T&T, Caddell, Bailey, Salois and Nowlin.
Gymnasts qualified for the JumpStart National Team based on scores earned during national testing. Of the 106 who were tested, 22 made the trampoline squad, with 21 qualifying for the tumbling team.
Members of the JumpStart National Team are invited to attend two national training camps, which are held in conjunction with the junior and senior U.S. National Teams. The first camp is Jan. 19-22 at Bounce California (gym) in San Diego. Each athlete receives national team apparel provided by GK Elite. The coaches of the JumpStart National Team members are eligible for additional coaching education and assist the national staff in tracking their athletes’ training progress.

JumpStart is trampoline and tumbling’s national talent identification program for gymnasts ages seven to 12 that provides education opportunities for athletes and their coaches. This is the fourth year for national testing for trampoline and the first for tumbling. Trampoline and tumbling is one of five disciplines governed by USA Gymnastics, which is based in Indianapolis.
USA Gymnastics is the U.S. national governing body for gymnastics and encourages participation and the pursuit of excellence in the sport. For more information, log on to www.usa-gymnastics.org.

2006 JumpStart National Team

(Listed by state, shows name, hometown/club and event)


California
Megan Alders, Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif./World Elite, trampoline/tumbling
Maggie Gallagher, Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif./World Elite, trampoline
Ronald “Jake” Jacobson, Rocklin, Calif./American Powerhouse, trampoline
Kiara Nowlin, Oxnard, Calif./Gold Coast Gymnastics, trampoline/tumbling
Tori Occhipinti, Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif./World Elite, trampoline/tumbling
Erin Powder, Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif./World Elite, trampoline
Cassidy Tollner, Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif./World Elite, trampoline/tumbling

Idaho
Kainoa Park, Pocatello, Idaho/Youth Training Center, trampoline

Illinois
Meghan Dragel, Orland Park, Ill./TwistStars, trampoline
Alexa Vichio, Tinley Park, Ill./TwistStars, tumbling

Indiana
Hannah Nowak, Terre Haute, Ind./Elite Energy, trampoline/tumbling
Tristan Van Natta, Shelbyville, Ind./Ultra Stars Flipside, trampoline

Louisiana
Jessica Allen, Kenner, La./Elmwood, trampoline/tumbling

Nebraska
Anna Filipcic, Omaha, Neb./Dave’s Gymnastics Factory, trampoline/tumbling

Nevada
Erika Aufiero, Sparks, Nev./Legacy T&T, trampoline/tumbling
Morgan Ross, Reno, Nev./Legacy T&T, trampoline

Ohio
Savannah Bailey, Loveland, Ohio/Queen City T&T, trampoline/tumbling
Sean Sargent, Mason, Ohio/Queen City T&T, trampoline
Madeline Sewell, Mason, Ohio/Queen City T&T, tumbling

Oklahoma
Bailey Brook, Sand Springs, Okla./T3, tumbling

Texas
Kasey Birchfield, Lubbock, Texas/Air Extreme, tumbling
Brittany Caddell, Levelland, Texas/Acrospirits, trampoline/tumbling
Ashlyn Edwards, Orange, Texas/Horizons, trampoline/tumbling
Erin Hoppens, Highland Village, Texas/Dallas Gymnastics Center, tumbling
Makenzi Oliver, Brookston, Texas/TX T&T Institute, tumbling
Bethany Poole, Pantego, Texas/Joy’s Gym Dallas, trampoline
Madison Rawls, Lubbock, Texas/Air Extreme, tumbling
Samantha Salois, Flower Mound, Texas/Excite!, trampoline/tumbling
Christopher Swaim, Paris, Texas/TX T&T Institute, trampoline/tumbling
Sydney Winn, Richardson, Texas/Dallas Gymnastics Center, tumbling