The tops season was incredibly succesful this year. This young group (all under 10 years old) showed great poise and dedication throughout the season. Four athletes tested this year. Mina Popovich tested as an 8 year old; and Maiya Nishime, Emma Malabuyo, and Kaitlyn Lyle all tested in the 9 year old division.

All four girls made great strides and achieved personal best scores repeatedly during the four tests. Maiya Nishime, Emma Malabuyo, and Kaitlyn Lyle all qualified to the National TOPS test at The National Team Training Center in Huntsville, TX.

Emma Malabuyo qualified to the TOPS National A Team, which is comprised of the top 15 athletes at 8, 9, and 10 years old. This is quite an accomplishment!

Kaitlyn Lyle also achieved TOPS National B Team status, which places her in the top 45 athletes in her age group.

We are very proud of all 4 girls for their continued success in this program.

Desi Borgese, Elite gymnast from Airborne, had the prestigious honor of being one of the twenty-eight gymnasts from 14 countries from the Pan American Gymnastics Union (PAGU) participating in the 2010 Women’s Junior PAGU Training Camp. It was held at the USA Gymnastics Women’s National Team Training Center, located at the Karolyi Gymnastics Camp in New Waverly, Texas, Nov. 9-14.

The countries whose athletes and coaches attended are Argentina, Barbados, Bolivia, Canada, Chile, El Salvador, Guatemala, Panama, Peru, Puerto Rico, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, Venezuela and the United States.

This was well deserved recognition for Desi and Airborne is so proud of her!

The 2010 TOPS competition season was quite successful. The athletes competed in 3 regional testing events this season, which were held at various sites around Northern California. At these regional tests, the girls perform a series of strength and conditioning exercises geared towards determining their overall gymnastics readiness. Our Airborne athletes stood out amongst the hundreds of participants with their determination and tenacity.

Congratulations to the following athletes for their success in the regional tests.

• Kaitlyn Lyle - Tops Silver level award
• Maiya Nishime - Tops Silver level award
• Emma Malabuyo - Tops Gold level award
• Fiona Stemmelin - National Tops testing qualifier
• Jacey Baldovino - National Tops testing qualifier
• Destinee Henderson - National Tops testing qualifier

Out of the 3,000 athletes tested in the United States, all of our team members qualified within the top 300 athletes in their age group.

Our 10 year old TOPS athletes, Destinee Henderson, Fiona Stemmelin, and Jacey Baldovino qualified to the National Test. The National Test is held at the Karolyi Ranch, which is our National Team Training Center, October 1-2.

At the National Test, the athletes perform the physical abilities tests identical to the tests performed at the regional level. In addition, the athlete's are asked to perform several gymnastics skills and basic routines which are geared toward elite development. They are judged on these skills with a 10.00 judging system. After all athletes from around the country are tested, the top 58 athletes from ages 8-11 were named to the National TOPS Team.

Destinee Henderson and Fiona Stemmelin both qualified to the National Team. These two girls were amongst the top 18 ten year olds in the United States. What an amazing accomplishment! These girls will attend the TOPS National Training camp at the National Training Center during the first week in December.

2010 was a big year for Jr. International Elite, Desi Borgese. Desi was selected to the USA National Team Training Squad and participated in several training camps at the US national Training Center in Texas. Desi also qualified to her second Visa National Championships in Hartford, CT. This was a major accomplishment after coming back from a broken foot just 8 weeks before the competition! Elite Gymnastics takes a special athlete and intense dedication. We are very proud of this young lady’s accomplishments.

Our Airborne 2009 TOPs season was incredibly successful. We want to first commend all of the participants and members of the Airborne TOPs team for their dedication and hard work. Jacey Baldovino, Destinee Henderson, Kate Ciley, McKenna Zimmerman, Fiona Stemmelin, Jenna Ogawa, and Shelbey Avelino competed in the TOPS Summer tests. All of these athletes commit to additional training and conditioning to be prepared for this program.

Out of all of the athletes in the United States who enter into the Summer testing events, 250 athletes qualify to the National Test, which is held in Houston, TX. Destinee Henderson, Jacey Baldovino, and Fiona Stemmelin qualified to test in the 9 year old age division. Shelbey Avelino qualified to test in the 10 yr old age group. Unlike the Summer test, which includes strength and flexibility testing, the National test requires the athletes to perform gymnastics skills which have been prescribed by the National Training Staff. All of the Airborne athletes did a phenomenal job.

Destinee Henderson and Fiona Stemmelin qualified to the National TOPs Team. The two girls were amongst thirty 9 year olds in the United States to make the team. What an awesome feat!! Jacey Baldovino and Shelbey Avelino were also honored by being named to the TOPS B Team. This accomplishment is awesome, and places all of the girls within the top 60 athletes in the country, in their perspective age groups. Way to go girls! We are so proud of all of you!

On the Elite front, Our girls have been training hard preparing for upcoming qualifiers and National Team training camps. Congratulations to Desi Borgese for being named to the 2010 National Team Training Squad. The next Elite competition will in Los Angeles and will serve as a qualifier to the 2010 Visa National Championships. Good Luck Desi!

• Check out Desi's website: www.gym-style.com/desi/
• Desi's GymDivas profile: www.gymdivas.us/profile_borgese.htm
• Desi was named 2008 MSO gymnast of the year!

Airborne's TOPS team has a rich history - the following girls have made the national team!

• Melissa Chan
• Karyn Yemoto
• Ottie Shimamoto
• Theresa Casella
• Michelle DeGroof
• Marisa Dacay
• Stacy Young
• Emily Bucko
• Jamie Tanquary
• Desi Borgese
• Chloe Borgese
• Fiona Stemmelin
• Destinee Henderson
• Sarah Marquez