Bridget Dean Press

Bridget Dean Achieves USA Gymnastics Pre-Elite Designation

March 16, 2009 -- Ten-year-old Gymnastic World of Fort Myers gymnast Bridget Dean qualified for USA Gymnastics pre-elite status during a two-step HOPES testing process conducted in December 2008 and February 2009. HOPES is a USA Gymnastics pre-elite program. Elite status is gymnastics highest designation and the one carried by Olympians.

In December, Dean scored a 35.600 in a USA Gymnastics Compulsory Elite Meet held in Fort Lauderdale, besting the score requirement by more than three points and qualifying for International Status. In February, Dean participated in an Optional Elite Qualifying Meet in West Palm Beach, placing second in the HOPES 10-12 year old division. Dean needed a score of 45 to qualify and beat that mark by nearly six points, placing second at the meet as the youngest competitor of 11 pre-elite hopefuls. Dean is now eligible to compete in Challenge Meets which determine the national pre-elite training squads each year.

"I was nervous during the drive over to the meet, but once I got out on the floor I felt really good," says Dean. "Now I am looking forward to my first Challenge Meet next month."

Dean is a member of the 2008-2009 USA Gymnastics National TOPs team. TOPs is a Talent Opportunity Program for female gymnasts ages seven to 11 and their coaches. During the summer, gymnasts are evaluated on physical abilities at the state or regional level. From the more than 2,400 participants, 300 gymnasts qualified to participate in the National TOPs testing. From here approximately 60 gymnasts make up the TOPs National Team. This is the second straight year that 10-year-old Dean has been named to the National team.

Gymnastic World Athletes Win Big at Princess Classic

March 2, 2009 -- Gymnastic World of Fort Myers Level 4, 7, 8 , 9 and 10 gymnasts excelled in their respective age divisions in the United States Amateur Gymnastics Princess Classic held in Port Charlotte.

Level 4 gymnast Angelle Alphonso placed first All Around, scoring first on Beam and Floor and second on Bars and Vault. Brooklyn Smith placed second All Around, taking first on Vault, second on Beam and Floor and fourth on Bars. Alyssa Smith took fourth All Around, placing second on Vault and third on Floor. Shaye Curley placed fifth All Around, taking fourth on Beam and fifth on Bars. Madison Black took fourth on Floor and fifth on Beam.

Level 7 gymnast Cathryn Baxter took first All Around, placing first on Floor, second on Beam and Bars and fourth on Vault. Callie Longo placed second All Around, taking first on Beam, second on Vault and third on Bars and Floor. Trisha Hughes placed third All Around, earning first on Vault, third on Bars and Floor and fourth on beam. The Level 7 team placed first at the meet.

Level 8 gymnast Victoria Wehrenberg placed first All Around, taking first on Bars and Floor and second on Beam and Vault. Katie Elias placed second All Around, earning first on Beam and Vault, second on Floor and third on Bars.

Level 9 gymnast Bridget Dean placed first All Around, earning first on Bars, Beam, Floor and Vault.

Gymnastic World Athletes Win Big at East Coast Meet

February 10, 2009 -- Gymnastic World of Fort Myers Level 7, 8 , 9 and 10 gymnasts excelled in their respective age divisions in the United States Amateur Gymnastics Winter Marti Gras held in Stuart.

Level 7 gymnast Jade Thomas placed first All Around, taking first on Bars, Beam and Floor and fourth on Vault. Callie Longo took second All Around, placing first on Bars and Floor, fourth on Vault and fifth on Beam. Cathryn Baxter took fourth All Around, placing second on Floor and third on Bars. Trisha Hughes placed fifth All Around, earning third on Bars, fourth on Floor and fifth on Bars. The Level 7 team placed first at the meet.

Level 8 gymnast Victoria Wehrenberg placed second All Around, taking first on Floor, second on Bars and third on Beam and Vault. Katie Elias placed third All Around, earning second on Vault, third on Bars and Floor and fourth on Beam.

Level 9 gymnast Bridget Dean placed second All Around, earning second on Beam and Floor and third on Bars and Vault.

Level 10 gymnast Jamie Shisler earned first All Around, placing first on Bars and Vault and second on Beam and Floor. Michaela Chernoch placed second All Around, earning first on Floor and Beam and second on Bars and Vault.