Five New Faces Enter the Elite Ranks

Five New Faces Enter the Elite Ranks

Team USA's June Development Camp led to the inclusion of five new faces to the elite playing field. Led by newly appointed Developmental Team Coordinator V

Jun 14, 2013 by Elizabeth Stranahan
Five New Faces Enter the Elite Ranks


Team USA's June Development Camp led to the inclusion of five new faces to the elite playing field. Led by newly appointed Developmental Team Coordinator Valeri Liukin, Development Camps seek out rising talents. Following verification, Christina Desiderio, Molly Frack, Abby Paulson, Sydney Johnson-Sharpf, and Deanna Soza all qualified for elite competition. These budding stars bring raw ability and fresh enthusiasm to the elite ranks as they begin their careers on the international stage.

Twelve-year-old Christina Desiderio trains at Parkettes under coaches Bill and Donna Strauss, Heather Moroz, Robin Netwall, and John Holman. She impressed at camp when she placed first in physical abilities. The young athlete qualified to the 2012 J.O. National Championships where she placed fifth on beam.

 Watch more video of Christina Desiderio on gymnastike.org



Parkettes also had twelve-year-old Molly Frack earn junior elite status at camp. Frack is a two-time Tops National "B" team qualifier (2010, 2011), and just wrapped up her second season as a level 10 prior to camp.

Watch more video of Molly Frack on gymnastike.org



Sydney Johnson-Sharpf entered camp with a strong presence. Earlier this year, Johnson-Sharpf qualified to the Nastia Liukin Cup where she placed second on beam and captured the crowd with a personality-filled floor routine. Johnshon-Sharpf trains at Brandy Johnson's Global Gymnastics in Florida. Her mom, 1988 Olympian, Brandy Johnson is one of her coaches. 

 Watch more video of Sydney Johnson-Scharpf on gymnastike.org


Fellow elite qualifier, Abby Paulson also comes from an Olympic legacy. Paulson's dad, Brandon, won the silver medal in Greco-Roman wrestling at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. The twelve-year-old hopes to one day follow in her father's footsteps creating an Olympic memory of her own. Prior to camp, Paulson took fifth on the floor at 2013 J.O. Nationals. Paulson competes for Twin City Twisters in Minnestoa under coaches Sarah Jantzi, Mike Hunger, Eddie Umphrey, Sami Wozney, and Rich Stenger.

 Watch more video of JO Nationals 2013 on gymnastike.org


The last of the June qualifiers is Deanne Soza of Arete. Soza made the Diamond National Team in 2010 and the Tops "A" Team in 2011 and 2012. She was first invited to the Developmental camp when she was 10 yrs old. In 2012, Soza took home the All Around, Vault, Bars, and Beam titles at the U.S. Challenge. Eleven-year-old Soza trains in Lindon, Utah under coaches Dan and Jana Coleman. 

 Watch more videos on Gymnastike


It is with high hopes, these gymnasts begin their elite careers. We look forward to following their success. 





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