Trampolinists Win At Junior Olympics National Championships

Over 1,500 of the best gymnasts from 38 states who qualified from their state and regional championships competed for national ranking at the USA-Gymnastics Trampoline-Tumbling Junior Olympics Championships in Houston. The events were trampoline (TR), double mini-trampoline (DM), power tumbling (TU), and synchronized trampoline (SY). Athlete abilities ranged from Level 5 (beginners with a single flip in a routine of multiple bounces) to Level 10 (pre-elites with multiple double somersaults in a routine of all flips). Twelve from Hawaii won honors in this prestigious event:

Kelsen Onigama (10 year old 5^th grader at Kalihi Waena Elementary School) competed in the boys 10 and under age group and placed 1^st on Level 10 trampoline, 2^nd on Level 10 double mini-tramp, 2^nd in Level 10 synchronized trampoline (with teammate Spencer Madanay), and 4^th in Level 8 tumbling.

Spencer Dupio (14 year old freshman at Roosevelt High School) competed in boys 13-14 age group and placed 1^st on Level 10 double mini-tramp, 9^th on Level 10 trampoline, and 6^th on Level 7 tumbling. He started the year 90^th in the country on double mini and ended up the national champion and will be leader of his US team to the International Age Group Games in the Netherlands in September.

Mia Vercruyssen (15 year old sophomore at Roosevelt High School) competed in the girls 15-16 age group and placed 3^rd on Level 5 trampoline, 1^st on Level 5 double mini-tramp, and 4^th on Level 5 tumbling.

Dorothy Sanidad (5 year old kindergartener at Sacred Hearts Academy) competed in the girls 6 and under age group and placed 3^rd on Level 5 trampoline, 1^st on Level 5 double mini-tramp, and 5th on Level 5 tumbling.

Spencer Madanay (12 year old 7^th grader at Punahou School) competed in the boys 11-12 age group and placed 5^th on Level 10 trampoline, 8^th on Level 10 double mini-tramp, 2^nd on synchronized trampoline (with teammate Kelsen Onigama), and 2^nd in Level 8 tumbling. Combined with his US Elite Challenge wins he ended up just two places short of making the US team to the International Age Group Games.

Care’n Chato (19 year old sophomore at the University of Hawaii) competed in the girls 15+ age group and placed 14^th on Level 9 trampoline, 4^th on Level 8 double mini-tramp, and 9^th on Level 9 tumbling.

Avery Key (12 year old 7^th grader in homeschool) competed in the boys 11-12 age group and placed 4^th on Level 9 trampoline, 12^th on Level 8 double mini-tramp, and 9^th on Level 5 tumbling.

Julia Ruggieri (11 year old 6^th grader at Punahou School) competed in the girls 11-12 age group and placed 38^th on Level 8 trampoline and 4^th on Level 6 double mini-tramp.

Joy Ogasawara (11 year old 6^th grader at Assets School) competed in the girls 11-12 age group and placed 32^nd on Level 5 trampoline, 4th on Level 5 double mini-tramp, and 36^th on Level 5 tumbling.

Christina Laguens (11 year old 6^th grader at UH Lab School) competed in the girls 11-12 age group and placed 36^th on Level 8 trampoline, 24^th on Level 6 double mini-tramp, and 23^rd on Level 6 tumbling.

Nani Vercruyssen (13 year old 8^th grader at Kaimuki Middle School and member of the US International Elite Team) competed in girls tumbling Level 9 and placed 6^th. [Nani made the US team to the International Age Group Games on TR and DM at the US Championships during the previous week.]

Matt Moniz (18 year old senior at Aiea High School) competed in boys tumbling Level 10 and placed 8^th. [Matt made the US team to the International Age Group Games on DM at the US Championships during the previous week.]

‘Everyone did exceptionally well—their best performances of the year, especially the rookies (those at nationals for the first time)’ said Dr Max Vercruyssen, Hawaii Academy Director. ‘Head coach Wendy Rosen, and her assistant coaches, ended a particularly good year with a total of 12 athletes qualifying to and attending nationals, six becoming national champions, and three making the US Team to compete at the International Age Group Games. Despite being isolated in the middle of the Pacific, these athletes are setting national records in this new Olympic sport.’

For more information please phone 808.741.2223 or see www.hawaiiacademy.com. To make donations contact Ms Carlene Toshi, Development Department Head, at 808.842.5642. Pictures are available on request.