TOPS (Talented Opportunity Program)

The Talent Opportunity Program (TOPS) is under the direction of the International Elite Committee (IEC). This program provides early screening and identification of talented athletes, along with educational programming for coaches.

WHO: To participate in the TOPS program, an athlete must meet the below criteria:

• Ages 8, 9 and 10. The age cutoff and breakdown for TOPS for the 2022-2023 season is listed below:
  • Athletes born in 2015= 8-year-olds
  • Athletes born in 2014= 9-year-olds
  • Athletes born in 2013= 10-year-olds
    • The age determination date for athletes is December 31st of the skills testing year (the year after the physical abilities testing).
• A minimum All-Around score of 36.00 in the Development Program at Level 3 and above must be obtained prior to beginning physical abilities testing.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the TOPS National Program is to build physical abilities and technically sound fundamentals for 8-10 year old female athletes. While strength and flexibility continue to develop, the athletes will learn compulsory routines which include the root skills required for elite level development. Form, execution, and shapes are the primary focus of this program.

GOALS: The TOPS Program is the beginning of the path for an elite athlete. Whether an athlete chooses the elite path or the Development Program path, the TOPS program will assist in developing a well-prepared athlete as she moves forward.

2023-2024 TOPS NATIONAL TEAM MEMBER

2022-2023 TOPS TEAM

Rhyne Solnick (10), Grace Price (10), Sienna Batton (9), Lila Clary (8)

Coach Bruce Petty will be leading the TOPS Program here at Next Level Gymnastics.  Bruce has over 40+ years of extensive gymnastics experience.  He has had TOPS National Qualifiers. including 12 athletes that he worked with such as: Laurie Herandez, Ariana Agripedes, and Jazmyn Foberg.

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