SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — Inside a Central New York gym, young athletes are training for more than just their next routine.
At Revolution Trampoline and Tumbling in East Syracuse, several gymnasts are already competing at the highest levels for their age — with opportunities to qualify for national teams and international competition.
“We have athletes who are top-ranked in the sport for their age,” said program director and head coach Melissa Diegel-Brown.
Some are working toward qualifying for the World Age Group Championships in China, while others are aiming for spots on Team USA developmental teams.
But reaching that level takes more than physical skill.
“The hardest part is overcoming the mental barriers and challenges of the sport,” Diegel-Brown said.
For athletes like Isabella McMillan, that challenge shows up every day in training.
“My dream is to be an elite athlete and go to Worlds,” McMillan said.
She trains multiple days a week, pushing through mistakes and repetition to perfect routines that last only seconds in competition.
“Sometimes you kind of just feel like you can’t do it,” McMillan said. “But you’ve got to keep pushing.”
She’s not alone.
Several athletes at the gym are preparing for the New York/New Jersey Trampoline and Tumbling State Championships this weekend — a key step toward qualifying for national competitions.
“The opportunity is just astonishing,” said Brooklyn Velasquez. “To even have the chance is just amazing.”
Velasquez says staying focused is part of what separates top athletes from the rest.
A young gymnast performs a flip during training at Revolution Trampoline and Tumbling in Central New York. Athletes at the gym are preparing for upcoming state championships. Photo by Danny Erb © NCC News
“You have to think less about what’s on the line and more about what it means to you,” she said.
For some, states could be the start of a path to nationals. For others, it’s a step closer to representing Team USA — or even competing on the world stage.
“I think we genuinely have kids in this program that have World Championship and Olympic dreams,” Diegel-Brown said.
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT
Danny Erb:
Inside this gym in East Syracuse, young athletes are training for something much bigger than just the next routine.
At Revolution Trampoline and Tumbling, some of the top young athletes in the sport are already competing at an elite level.
Melissa Diegel-Brown:
“So we have several athletes who are the top rankings in the sport for their age.”
Erb:
But getting there takes more than just physical skill.
Diegel-Brown:
“The hardest part is overcoming the mental barriers and challenges of the sport.”
Erb:
And for athletes like Isabella McMillan, she’s chasing that next level.
Isabella McMillan:
“My dream is to be an elite athlete and go to Worlds.”
Erb:
But getting there takes years of work — and learning to push through the tough moments.
McMillan:
“Sometimes you kind of just feel like you can’t do it… but you’ve got to keep pushing.”
Erb:
And she’s not alone.
All the athletes here are working toward that same goal — with a chance to compete on the world stage in China.
Brooklyn Velasquez:
“The opportunity is just astonishing. To even have the chance is just amazing.
Erb:
And with that opportunity comes pressure.
Velasquez:
“Sometimes you have to think less about what’s on the line… and more about what it would mean to you.”
Erb:
Athletes like Bella make this look easy — so I figured I’d give it a shot.
Erb:
“You need to teach me how to do a flip.”
McMillan:
“Yeah? Sure.”
Erb:
“All right, show me how to do it.”
Erb:
“Yeah… definitely harder than it looks.”
Erb:
And with state championships this Saturday, it’s their next chance to prove they belong at that level.
Reporting in East Syracuse, I’m Danny Erb, NCC News.