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September12, 2005 - Fredericksburg, VA - Spotsylvania residents, Kelsey Gallello and Jasmine Kline who train at Paragon Gymnastics in Fredericksburg, Va., qualified for the 2005 USA Gymnastics National TOPs Testing, which will take place September 23-25, in Houston, Texas at the Women's National Team Training Center located at the Bela Karolyi Gymnastics Camp. TOPs is a Talent Opportunity Program for female gymnasts ages 7-11 and their coaches. During the summer, gymnasts are evaluated on physical abilities at the state or regional level. From the more than 3,100 participants, 300 gymnasts qualify to participate in the National TOPs testing. From here approximately 60 gymnasts will make up the TOPs National Team. Paragon Gymnastics TOPs coach Valentina Pintchouk said, "I'm so pleased to have two girls qualify to National Testing. Most of these girls train around 20-25 hours per week on top of their school work load and it just shows that hard work pays off. They are dedicated kids and very motivated to succeed. " Those who qualify to the TOPs National Team will, once again, be invited to attend a training camp this December in Houston, Texas, at Karolyi's Gymnastics, home of well-known gymnastics coaches Bela and Martha Karolyi. The Karolyi's coached Nadia Comaneci, Mary Lou Retton, Kim Zmeskal, Kerri Strug and many other World and Olympic champions. Owner of Paragon Gymnastics, Ken Wood, said, "We're thrilled to have qualified for this most prestigious event. I'm very proud of our hard working staff and gymnasts." USA Gymnastics Elite Program Manager Gary Warren, said, "The TOPs program is definitely working. With more that 50% of the current National Team and 2 of the 2004 Olympic Team having been National TOP Team Members, marks the success of the program. USA Gymnastics is the National Governing body for gymnastics in the United States. For more information on the USA Gymnastics TOPs program and to see a full list of the 2005 National Testing qualifiers, go to www.usa-gymnastics.org/women/tops/tops.html
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