122 gymnasts are selected for 2005 T.J. Maxx National TOPs Team

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., Nov. 22, 2005 – Based on results from the T.J. Maxx Talent Opportunity Program (TOPs) 2005 National Testing, which helps identify the country’s top 9-, 10- and 11-year-old female gymnasts, 71 gymnasts have been named to the 2005 T. J. Maxx National TOPs Team (9-11 years old) and will participate in the T.J. Maxx National TOPs Training Camp, Dec. 4-6, at USA ’ National Team Training Center in Huntsville, Texas. In addition, 51 7-8 year olds were named to the Diamond Level of the T.J. Maxx TOPs National Team.

Of the 122 on the 2005 T.J. Maxx National Team, 68 qualified for their first team while 33 are on their second team; 14 on their third team; five on their fourth team; and two on their fifth. Chelsea Howes of Coral Springs, Fla., and Meghan Kessler of Gainesville, Fla., made their fifth straight T.J. Maxx National TOPs Team (this includes qualifying for the top 7-8-year-old levels). Five gymnasts have been named to four T.J. Maxx National TOPs Teams: Jennifer Bazany from San Antonio, Texas; Carol Byrnes of Bethlehem, Pa.; Rachel Daum of Georgetown, Texas; Mary Jane Horth of Akron, Ohio; and Gabrielle Spadaccia of Bethlehem, Pa. The T.J. Maxx National Team, including all age groups, features gymnasts from 22 states, representing 61 clubs. Texas has the most athletes at 28, followed by California and New Jersey at 11 each. A complete list of the participants, listed by state, is attached. The Diamond Level team members, who do not attend camp, are included in the list and are so designated.

The 71 represent the top 9-11 year old performers from the 300-plus gymnasts who qualified for the national testing program through state and regional testing, which included more than 3,100 gymnasts. Advancement to national testing and team selection is based on testing scores. State and regional testing is conducted for gymnasts 7-11 years of age, with the 9-11 year olds eligible to advance to national testing. The best 7 and 8 year-olds qualify for the Diamond Level based on their test scores from state and regional testing.

During the training camp, the 9-11 year old members of the T.J. Maxx National Team and their coaches train under the eye of USA Gymnastics’ national training staff, who provide feedback and suggestions for future training. Each of the national team members receives a leotard and warm-up from GK Elite. While the 7-8 year olds do not attend the camp, they do receive national team apparel and their coaches attend the camp.

T.J. Maxx TOPs is a talent search and educational opportunity for female gymnasts, ages 7-11, and their coaches and parents. With a rich, 14-year history, this developmental program has certainly proven itself over the years. Of the current members on the Women’s National Team, more than 50 percent were TOPs participants. In fact , , and Tasha Schwikert of the 2004 silver-medal-winning Olympic Team were TOPs graduates, and each was awarded the National TOPs athlete of the year distinction.

Based in Indianapolis, USA Gymnastics, the national governing body for gymnastics in the United States, encourages participation and the pursuit of excellence in the sport. For more information, log on to www.usa-gymnastics.org.

2005 T.J. Maxx National TOPs Team (Team members are listed alphabetically by state; indicates athlete’s club and hometown; number of years on team; Diamond Level, 7-8 year olds)

Alabama Sommerlyn Henry, United Gymstars, Pike Road, Ala. Taylor Sockwell, American Gymnastics, Birmingham, Ala. (2)

Arizona Alexis Monier, Gymnastics World-East, Tucson, Ariz., Diamond Level Makenzey Shank, Flames Gymnastics Academy, Phoenix, Ariz.

California Samantha Abad, Airborne Gymnastics, Santa Clara, Calif., Diamond Level Desi Borgese, West Valley Gymnastics School, Los Gatos, Calif. Melissa Chuang, West Valley Gymnastics School, Cupertino, Calif. (3) Courtney Corrin, All Olympians Gymnastics Center, Los Angeles, Calif., Diamond Level Lacy Dagen, Bay Aerials Gymnastics, Fremont, Calif., Diamond Level India Hardaway, All Olympians Gymnastics Center, Inglewood, Calif. Sarah Marquez, Airborne Gymnastics, San Jose, Calif. (3) Hallie Mossett, All Olympians Gymnastics Center, Los Angeles, Calif. (3) Niki Shapiro, All Olympians Gymnastics Center, Los Angeles, Calif., Diamond Level Chelsea Shu, All Olympians Gymnastics Center, Los Angeles, Calif., Diamond Level Kacie Traina, All Olympians Gymnastics Center, Stevenson Ranch, Calif.

Florida Tiffany Dawson, Suncoast Gymnastics Academy, Hudson, Fla. (2) Chelsea Howes, Classics, Coral Springs, Fla. (5) Jacqueline Jacobs, Top Contenders, Hudson, Fla., Diamond Level Jacqueline Kessler, Sun Country, Gainesville, Fla., Diamond Level (2) Meghan Kessler, Sun Country Gymnastics, Gainesville, Fla. (5) Gabrielle Roberts, Park Avenue Gymnastics, Davie, Fla. (2)

Georgia Sydney Converse, Gwinnett Gymnastics Center, Lilburn, Ga., Diamond Level (2) Aziza Day, Gwinnett Gymnastics Center, Snellville, Ga. (2)

Hawaii Jenna Frowein, Hawaiian Island Twisters, Kanoehe, Hawaii (2) Annika Northrop, Hawaiian Island Twisters, Honolulu, Hawaii, Diamond Level (2) Andrea Prohaska, Hawaiian Island Twisters, Kapolei, Hawaii (3)

Illinois Molly Aldred, Gymnastics Academy of Rockford, Rockford, Ill., Diamond Level Anaka Benink, Gymnastics Academy of Rockford, Rockford, Ill., Diamond Level Cortney Fittanto, Gymnastics Academy of Rockford, Belvidere, Ill. Jade Gough, Gymnastics Academy of Rockford, Roscoe, Ill. Ariel Martin, Illinois Gymnastics Institute, , Ill. (2) Hannah Miller, Gymnastics Academy of Rockford, Rockford, Ill., Diamond Level

Indiana Heather Hannon, DeVeau's School of Gymnastics, Noblesville, Ind. (3) Hannah Meador, Champion Gymnastics, New Albany, Ind. Kayla Smith, DeVeau's Gymnastics, Fishers, Ind., Diamond Level

Maryland NaChelle FerKovich, Frederick Gymnastics Club, Frederick, Md., Diamond Level (2) Mary Frances Winters, Frederick Gymnastics Club, Frederick, Md., Diamond Level

Massachusetts Alexandra Raisman, Brestyan's, Needham, Mass.

Michigan Janelle Kopa, Infinity Gymnastics, Brighton, Mich., Diamond Level Kamerin Moore, Geddart's Twistars USA, West Bloomfield, Mich. Jordyn Wieber, Gedderts Twistars USA, Dewitt, Mich. (3)

Missouri Morgan Wilson, Rebound Gymnastics, Blue Springs, Mo., Diamond Level

North Carolina Katie Bailey, C&B Flip Force, Kernersville, N.C. Lillian Hardin, The Gym Company, Monroe, N.C.

New Jersey Julianna Drapkin, Rebound Gymnastics, Cliffwood, N.J., Diamond Level Taylor Jefferson, Rebound Gymnastics, Cliffwood, N.J., Diamond Level (2) Sara King, US Gymnastics Development II, Englewood, N.J., Diamond Level Laurie Lacher, Worldwide Gymnastics, Old Bridge, N.J., Diamond Level Marsia Lindis, US Gymnastics Development II, Englewood, N.J., Diamond Level Nicole Macco, Rebound Gymnastics, Cliffwood, N.J., Diamond Level (2) Julia Mark, US Gymnastics Development II, Englewood, N.J., Diamond Level Kelly McKay, Rebound Gymnastics, Cliffwood, N.J., Diamond Level Becky Peoples, Worldwide Gymnastics, Old Bridge, N.J., Diamond Level Gaia Robinson, US Gymnastics Development II, Englewood, N.J., Diamond Level Morgan Volpe, North Stars, Wayne, N.J. (3)

New York Courtney Bondanza, Gymnastics Unlimited, Buffalo, N.Y., Diamond Level Rachel Fielitz, Gymnastics Revolution, Walden, N.Y. (2) Megan Finck, Exper Tiess Gymnastics, St. James, N.Y. (2) Anwen Heibert-Lewis, Chelsea Piers, New York, N.Y., Diamond Level

Ohio Kathryn Bagby, Buckeye Gymnastics, Powell, Ohio (2) Anna Gortner, Gymnastics Academy, Fairfield, Ohio (3) Mary Jane Horth, Gymnastics World, Akron, Ohio (4) Amelia Hundley, Cincinnati Gymnastics Academy, Cincinnati, Ohio, Diamond Level Amanda Jetter, Cincinnati Gymnastics Academy, Milford, Ohio (2) Stevanni McCray, Gym-Nation, Mason, Ohio, Diamond Level Lexie Priessman, Cincinnati Gymnastics Academy, Cincinnati, Ohio, Diamond Level Megan Zahursky, All Around Gymnastics, Mentor, Ohio, Diamond Level

Pennsylvania Lauren Beers, Southern Tier, Warren Center, Pa. (2) Carol Byrnes, Girls Co-Op Gymnastics, Bethlehem, Pa. (4) Rachael Donovan, Parkettes Gymnastics, Allentown, Pa., Diamond Level Kelsey Kreider, Parkettes Gymnastics, Bethlehem, Pa. Jade Kubitsky, Girls Co-Op Gymnastics, Bethlehem, Pa. (2) Caitlin Luettgen, Parkettes Gymnastics, Allentown, Pa., Diamond Level Elizabeth Price, Parkettes Gymnastics, Coopersburg, Pa. Gabrielle Spadaccia, Girls Co-Op Gymnastics, Bethlehem, Pa. (4)

Tennessee Kennedy Baker, GymStars Gymnastics, Collierville, Tenn. (2) Hallie Gillam, GymStars Gymnastics, Collierville, Tenn., Diamond Level (2) Elizabeth Myers, GymStars Gymnastics, Collierville, Tenn.

Texas Tia Allbritten, Mesquite Gymnastics, Rowlette, Texas (2) Jennifer Bazany, Alamo Gymnastics Center, San Antonio, Texas (4) Abby Beauchamp, Texas Star Gymnastics, Conroe, Texas (2) Mackenzie Brannan, Capital Gymnastics, Austin, Texas (2) Micaela Brewer, Mesquite Gymnastics, Mesquite, Texas, Diamond Level Emily Briones, HUGS, San Antonio, Texas Reagan Campbell, Texas Dreams Gymnastics, Coppell, Texas, Diamond Level Kelly Cummins, Texas Dreams Gymnastics, Coppell, Texas, Diamond Level Rachel Daum, Acrotex, Georgetown, Texas (4) Casey Dreyer, Eagles Wings Gymnastics, Plano, Texas Brittany Franklin, Texas Dreams Gymnastics, Carrollton, Texas Anna Goldblatt, Texas Dreams Gymnastics, Coppell, Texas (2) Tommi Goodman, Texas Dreams Gymnastics, Coppell, Texas, Diamond Level Jordyn Grace, Gymnastics Center, Grand Prairie, Texas (3) McKenna Harris, HUGS, San Antonio, Texas, Diamond Level Adeline Helland, US Gold Gymnastics, Highland Village, Texas, Diamond Level Tiffany James, Mesquite Gymnastics, Forney, Texas Saril May, Capital Gymnastics, Austin, Texas, Diamond Level (2) Rebekah Moomau, Texas Dreams Gymnastics, Coppell, Texas, Diamond Level Taylor Moore, HUGS, San Antonio, Texas Allyson Nied, Texas Dreams Gymnastics, Coppell, Texas, Diamond Level (2) Rachelle Perry, Mesquite Gymnastics, Mesquite, Texas Hollee Rogers, Texas Dreams Gymnastics, Coppell, Texas, Diamond Level Heloise Rytzell, Zenith Gymnastics, Allen, Texas Emily Schein, Dallas Gymnastics Center, Dallas, Texas (3) Sabrina Schwab, Eagles Wings Athletics, Allen , Texas, Diamond Level Braie Speed, Alamo Gymnastics Center, Schertz, Texas (3) McKenzie Wofford, Capital Gymnastics, Round Rock, Texas (2)

Utah Kana Kobayashi, Gymnastics Training Center of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah (3) Briel Mulestein, Rocky Mountain Gymnastics, Sandy, Utah

Virginia Jasmine Allen, World Class Gymnastics, Newport News, Va., Diamond Level Sarah Caoili, Excalibur Gymnastics, Newport News, Va. (3) Rebekah Conrad, Excalibur Gymnastics, Newport News, Va. (2) Maria Cross, Excalibur Gymnastics, Virginia Beach, Va. Gabrielle Douglas, Excalibur Gymnastics, Virginia Beach, Va. (2) Krystine Jacobsen, Excalibur Gymnastics, Norfolk, Va. MaKyna Kancso, Excalibur Gymnastics, Virginia Beach, Va. (2) Catalina Palma, Apollo Gymnastics, Woodbridge, Va. (2)

Wisconsin Claire Coorough, Salto Gymnastics, Nashotah, Wis. Elizabeth Dzwierzynski, Salto Gymnastics, Elm Grove, Wis. (3) Bailey Fitzpatrick, M & M Gymnastics, New Berlin, Wis., Diamond Level Jenna Fitzpatrick, Swiss Turners, Burlington, Wis. (2) Heather Foley, Salto Gymnastics, Peawaukee, Wis. (2) Skyler Memmel, M & M Gymnastics, New Berlin, Wis., Diamond Level