During the November TOPs testing, five gymnasts were invited to the February Developmental Invite Camp, moving them beyond the TOPs program. Of the five gymnasts selected by Valeri Liukin, four were from San Mateo Gymnastics in Belmont, California—Baylie Belman, Myli Lew, Milana Sliusar, and Kayleigh Gonzalez, who are all coached by Armen Astoian and Oksana Bystrova. 

Developmental Camps allow Team USA to begin working with talented gymnasts at a young age, providing coaches and athletes the tools they need to be successful at the next level. These camps have been instrumental in the success of American gymnastics, as current elites developed a solid gymnastics foundation at a young age.

Belman, Lew, and Sliusar are all eight years old and will be competing Level 7 during the 2016 season. Gonzalez is ten and will compete level 8 this year. During the October National TOPs testing, Belman and Lew were extremely impressive, earning the top two eight-year-old scores—93.78 and 92.71 out of 100—respectively. Not surprising, since both gymnasts were 2014 TOPS Diamond Team members, but this performance caught Valeri’s eye and he was impressed enough to invite them in February.

In addition to these four gymnasts, San Mateo has four other 11-12 year olds already in the Developmental Program—Sophie Parenti, Ann Marie Gonzalez, Emily Maiden, and Hana Strause.  Needless to say, San Mateo has a ton of young talent and will be a team to watch for in the future.  

Success in developing elite athletes is nothing new for San Mateo, as theyÂ’ve developed standout athletes including sophomore LSU Tiger Erin Macadaeg, as well as Lacy Dagen, who is currently a Freshman at Florida. Keep an eye out for the little girls with big talent from San Mateo!


Related:
Kelsey Lee - A Little Girl With A Big Future