Five Athletes Qualify Elite at Developmental Camp

Five Athletes Qualify Elite at Developmental Camp

Team USA's latest Developmental Camp has concluded at the Ranch with Christina Desiderio of Parkettes taking top honors in physical abilities testing. Foll

Jun 10, 2013 by Jennifer Teitell
Five Athletes Qualify Elite at Developmental Camp
Team USA's latest Developmental Camp has concluded at the Ranch with Christina Desiderio of Parkettes taking top honors in physical abilities testing. Following verification, Deanne Soza of Arete Gymnastics, Sydney Johnson - Scharpf of Brandy Johnson's Global Gymnastics, Abby Paulson of Twin City Twisters along with Christina Desiderio and Molly Frack of Parkettes qualified to compete at the elite level. 

Led by newly named Developmental team Coordinator, Valeri Liukin, the developmental camps are for emerging elite athletes. He was joined by National Team Coaches and 1988 Olympian Chelle Stack-Marcella. An international Brevet Judge, Stack-Marcella scored the athletes during verification process. 

Below are the top results from Camp. Click the gymnast's name to watch their videos.
Physical Abilities Top 3
1. Christina Desiderio of Parkettes
2. Jax Kanitz of Colorado Aerials
3. Maile O'Keefe of Salcianu Academy

Most Improved Award
Adeline Kenlin of Iowa Gym Nest

Qualifying Elite
Molly Frack of Parkettes
Christina Desiderio of Parkettes
Deanne Soza of Arete Gymnastics
Sydney Johnson-Scharpf of Brandy Johnson Global Gymnastics
Abby Paulson of Twin City Twisters

Abby Paulson of Twin City Twisters performs on floor at the 2013 Chicago Style


Below is the full Recap from USA Gymnastics: 

Thirty gymnasts were invited to participate at the June Women's Developmental Camp at the USA Gymnastics National Training Center at the Karolyi Ranch, a U.S. Olympic Training Site. 1988 Olympic gold medalist Valeri Liukin, Developmental and TOPs team coordinator for USA Gymnastics, along with members of the national coaching staff, directed the five-day camp in Huntsville, Texas. Gymnasts were selected for the camp from various competitions including Level 9 East and West Championships and Level 10 Junior Olympic National Championships, as well as previous Developmental and TOPs camps. The opening night of camp, the gymnasts were tested on physical abilities, which include many strength and agility tests. Christina Desiderio of Parkettes had the top test scores followed closely by Colorado Aerials' Jax Kranitz and Maile O'Keefe of Salcianu Academy of Gymnastics.

Throughout the remainder of the camp, the gymnasts trained twice a day and coaches attended lectures by the National Staff after each training session. During the training, verification took place with International Gymnastics Federation rated Brevet Judge and Olympian Chelle Stack-Marcella.

Based on their scores from verification, the following gymnasts have qualified for the Hopes Challenge at the Secret U.S. Classic, July 27 in Chicago: Elena Arenas, Georgia Elite; Shilese Jones, Auburn Gymnastics; Adeline Kenlin, Iowa Gym Nest; Kranitz; and Catlin Smith, Paragon Elite Gymnastics. Gymnasts who qualified to both the American and U.S. Classic include Desiderio and Molly Frack, both from Parkettes; Deanne Soza, Arete Gymnastics; Sydney Johnson-Scharp, Brandy Johnson's Global Gymnastics; and Abby Paulson, Twin City Twisters. The American Classic will be held July 5-6 at the Karolyi Ranch.

At the closing of the camp, awards were given to gymnasts placing in both physical abilities and verification. Kenlin was selected most improved camper by the staff and received a USA Team jacket.

Many of these gymnasts are preparing for the upcoming Classic meets to qualify for U.S. Gymnastics Championships, scheduled for August 15-18 in Hartford, Conn., to try to earn a position on the Junior National Team.

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