Hilliard, Ohio Gymnastics Athlete Only Ohio Female Selected To Jumpstart National Team

Online, March 10, 2010 (Newswire.com) - Ella Brownstein, age 8, made this year's JumpStart National Team and earned the right to train at the JumpStart National Team Training Camp in Huntsville, Alabama. Brownstein is from Gym Marika Trampoline and Tumbling in Columbus, Ohio and trains 12 hours per week. She is coached by Marika White, who says, "Ella is an extremely gifted and goal oriented athlete. She is focused, passionate about the sport and has incredible potential! Ella is a National Champion in tumbling, and I knew that even at such a young age she is of the top trampolinists/tumblers for her age group in the country."

USA Gymnastics, the national governing body for gymnastics in the United States, conducts an annual talent opportunity program to identify young athletes who have the ability to excel in the sport of trampoline. Through a series of strength, flexibility, fitness, speed and skills testing, USA Gymnastics identifies 21 trampolinists/tumblers to make up the JumpStart National Team each year.

Ella, who is a 3rd grade student at Alton Darby Elementary School in Hilliard Ohio, will attend the JumpStart National Training Camp in Huntsville, Alabama. The camp will be held March 10th - 14th 2010. While at the camp, Ella and her coach will work with members of the USA Gymnastics Trampoline & Tumbling Program National Coaching Staff.

Ann Sims, Senior Director of the USA Gymnastics Trampoline & Tumbling Program, commented on the JumpStart National Training Camp by saying, "This program showcases the future stars of trampoline in America. The kids you see today at National Camp will be fighting for spots on the Olympic teams of tomorrow."

JumpStart Testing took place throughout the summer. Approximately 500 trampoline athletes participated at the Regional Level. Out of those 500, 75 trampolinists/tumblers from around the country were invited to JumpStart National Testing. National Testing was held in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma where only 21 gymnasts in three age groups (7-8, 9-10 and 11-12) were selected to the JumpStart National Team.

At National Testing, the athletes performed strength and flexibility tests, general fitness tests and skills for speed, as well as required skills and compulsory routines on the trampoline and floor. The scores were tallied and the top 21 athletes were named to the JumpStart National Team.

Gym Marika Trampoline and Tumbling is owned and operated by Marika White and is located at 2881 Scioto Darby Executive Court in Hilliard, Ohio. For more information about Gym Marika programs, please call 614-557-5778 or go to www.GymMarika.com.