Snapshot: Local Gymnasts Qualify for TOPS

Congratulations to TOPS National Qualifiers Alana Anderson of Joliet and Delaney Cienkus of Plainfield. TOPS is a Talent opportunity program run by USA gymnastics. The training  consists of conditioning and flexibility along with skills.

The girls compete in summer months across the nation to earn a spot to the  National training center in Waverly, Texas. Qualifiers that are 8 to 10 years old are then tested again. The gymnasts with the highest scores are  invited to a camp in December with their coaches to train with the  National team coaches under the direction of Marta Karolyi. Alana and  Delaney are among only 12 Illinois gymnasts that have qualified for National testing in Texas at the end of September.

Congratulations to Amelia Greenfield for being chosen to the TOPS Diamond Team 2012. Amelia, 7, had scores high enough to earn her an  automatic berth to the National TOPS Diamond Team. Amelia is the only 7-year-old in Illinois who earned the honor.

All three girls compete for Premier Gymnastics Academy West girls team in Oswego.

Special thanks to Leanne Klimavicius for the photo and release