This content was originally published by the Longmont Observer and is licensed under a Creative Commons license.
In early July, local gymnasts from Airborne Gymnastics and Dance took the podium at the USA Gymnastics National Championships in Greensboro, NC. The group claimed medals in Trampoline, Double-mini Trampoline, Synchronized Trampoline and Power Track Tumbling.
The team saw two athletes advance beyond the National Championship competition, Holly Richardson, 11 and Elijah Vogel, 15.
After placing third in her age group at the national competition, Richardson advanced to the USAG World Age Group Championship team, which will be held in St. Petersburg, Russia on November 7-10, 2018. The event she will participate in is the double-mini trampoline. According to a press release, “this is the second year in a row that Airborne Trampoline & Tumbling (T&T) Team will be sending an athlete to the World Championships.”
Vogel placed third in his age-group in double-mini trampoline and was selected for the Junior National Training Team. The Junior National Team is a selection of the best 14- to 16-year-old gymnasts in the country. “Members attend training camps and may be selected for junior international competitions. In 2017, some of the team members competed in Italy, Colombia, and Bolivia,” states the press release.
The team’s head coach, David Ford, still competes in trampoline. He has competed in six World Championships finishing fifth in 2005. “Launched in 1999, the Airborne T&T team was mostly recreational until Ford took over the reins 2014. Since then, it has steadily risen in stature, attracting athletes from other gyms, and providing local gymnasts opportunities to dream big in the world of gymnastics,” mentions the press release.
The Airborne T&T Team has 21 members ranging from ages 9-18 who live in Longmont, Boulder, Lafayette, Firestone and Erie. Among those members, several placed high at the national championship competition. Quinn Martin placed third in trampoline, David Pritchard claimed fifth place in the nation in his age group, and Ella Born and Cecelia Bernard captured first place in their age group for their Synchronized Trampoline performance. Bernard was the only team member to compete in all four events.
