This weekend, Hadley Palmerton and Athena Lee have a shot to break into the big time.
The Clark County gymnasts are among 105 10 year olds nationwide selected to the USA Gymnastics Talent Opportunity Program (TOPs), which aims to identify gymnasts with potential to develop into elite national-level competitors.
Palmerton and Lee will compete Friday and Saturday in Indianapolis at the National TOPs Testing event.
Of about 300 gymnasts ages 8-10 in Indianapolis, roughly one third will be selected to train with USA Gymnastics coaches in December.
Palmerton trains at Northpointe Gymnastics in Vancouver while Lee trains at VEGA in Camas. Yet their coaches, Mark Lee at Northpointe and Shannon Michael at VEGA, often have the two practice together because of their close friendship.
“In a sport that tends to foster competition over camaraderie, these two have remained best of friends,” said Rebekah Ward-Palmerton, Hadley’s mother. “They are one of each other’s biggest supporters, constantly encouraging each other during training as well as competitions.”
Ward-Palmerton estimates the two gymnasts have spent up to 30 hours a week training for this weekend’s competition.
To be selected for the national event, Palmerton and Lee were evaluated at state and regional meets, where they performed specific skill routines.
Ansboury receives pickleball instructor certification
Club Green Meadows director of tennis Nancy Ansboury can now add certified pickleball instructor to her resume.
Ansboury recently completed the requirements to earn Professional Pickleball Registry’s Certification to teach pickleball.
Ansboury’s daughter Sarah has designed the PPR’s curriculum and certification. Sarah Ansboury is a five-time USAPA National Champion, two-time U.S. Open Pickleball Champion.
Sarah Ansboury is serving as PPR’s educational consultant and lead clinician for pickleball related activities.
