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Seven-year-old Saugus resident, Jordyn Duffield was crowned the national level 7-trampoline champion in the 7- to 8-year-old age group in the 2009 Junior Olympic Trampoline and Tumbling National Championships at the McEnery Convention Center in San Jose, California.
Jordyn, who trains under coach Karl Ziehn at Waller’s GymJam Academy in Canyon Country, also won silver medals in both the double-mini trampoline level 7 and tumbling level 6 events in her age group. Fellow teammate Cheyenne Cole-Eskridge brought home a silver medal in level 9 tumbling in the 11- to 12-year-old age group.
“Trampoline is the best because I get to flip and twist up high in the air,” states Jordyn. “Oh and I got to buy a cool sweatshirt when I won.”
The entire GymJam trampoline and tumbling team qualified for the national championships, which spanned six days and included nearly 1,600 athletes representing 200 clubs from 37 states. The athletes qualified for nationals by meeting qualifying scores in their age groups and levels for trampoline, tumbling and double-mini trampoline at state and regional championships earlier this year.
Trampoline events involve athletes using trampolines that can propel them up to 30 feet in the air, during which they perform acrobatic maneuvers including single, double and triple twists and flips. Tumbling utilizes an elevated spring runway that enables athletes to jump at heights of more than 10 feet and execute a variety of acrobatic maneuvers. Double-mini trampoline involves athletes making a short run and leaping onto a bi-level trampoline where they perform an aerial maneuver and a dismount.
“I’m very proud of this team,” states Karl, “many of them were at nationals for their first time ever and they all coped with the pressure very well.”
Other top ten finishers from the GymJam team included Kaitlin Schultz, 10, of Stevenson Ranch (5th place in tumbling, 6th place in trampoline), Jessica Wolthers, 7, of Stevenson Ranch (8th place in both trampoline and tumbling), Kristin Schultz, 14, of Stevenson Ranch (8th place in tumbling), Logan Ferris, 12, of Canyon Country (8th place in double-mini) and Gracie Woodmansee, 9, of Saugus (10th place in tumbling).
“From a coach’s perspective, we had a fantastic competition,” states Karl. “We hit 43 of 46 routines and everyone performed at their peak.”
Waller’s GymJam Academy is owned and directed by Chris Waller, 1992 Olympian and 2004 Olympic Coach and his wife, Cindy Waller. Located in the heart of Santa Clarita, the 14,000 square-foot world-class training facility offers gymnastics for all ages and levels from Parent and Me and preschoolers through the highest competitive levels of girls, boys and trampoline and tumbling teams.
For more information, visit the gym at 26515 Ruether Ave. in Santa Clarita or call 661- 251-3390.
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