Archives > Sports > Schools
Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
RSS
Share
Meet the Elite: Bravo, Rowley train at Karolyi Ranch, compete in Portugal
BY Kevin Hageland, khageland@starlocalnews.com
Elite can be a tough word to define in sports.
USA Gymnastics created an avenue to simplify the process with the establishment of the USA Olympic Development National Team. On the trampoline and tumbling scene that squad is reserved for the top four boys and girls (ages 11-14 and Level 9-10) in trampoline, tumbling and double mini after a series of three competitions across the country.
Eagle's Wings Athletics gymnasts Hope Bravo and Isaac Rowley are in that group.
Bravo and Rowley made the cut in July and were then invited to an international exchange camp at the USA National Team Training Center at Karolyi Ranch in Houston. From there, the duo was asked to compete at the 2012 Loule Cup and World Cup of Trampoline, which was last month at the Loule Municipal Sports Hall in Portugal.
Bravo competed in the 13-14 age group for tumbling, placing fourth.
"This was Hope's first international competition," McDonald said. "She landed both her passes in the preliminary competition and qualified to the final in fourth. She did very well in the finals too, ultimately finishing fourth, which is fantastic for her first-ever international competition."
Rowley brought the more seasoned resume to Portugal.
Having been a part of the USA ODP for three years, Rowley had been to multiple international exchange camps and competed in Canada.
Rowley competed in the 13-14 age group for trampoline.
In trampoline, a gymnast must complete a compulsory and optional routine in the prelims. Rowley did both and finished eighth, the last place for a spot in the finals. Rowley competed first in the finals and improved his standings with a fourth-place performance that also helped the ODP trampoline team win the silver medal.
"Isaac did an even better optional routine than he did in the prelims," McDonald said.
McDonald, who coaches alongside Collin Wallick at EWA, was there to see these results firsthand as she was in Portugal as the USA ODP boys trampoline coach.
"Isaac and Hope were true athletes; they fought hard and definitely showed they are competitors that mean business," she said. "I am beyond proud of them and I can't wait to see what next year has in store for all of these athletes. The theme given to the USA delegation before they left for Portugal was, 'You can make a wish or you can make it happen.' Isaac and Hope definitely proved they can and will make it happen every time they compete."
The following are comments from the readers.
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
You must register with a valid email to post comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Registered users sign in here:
Become a Registered User
- Return to: Allen «
- Home «
- Top of Page ^
