Florida's site for TOPs updates, test sites, dates, schedules and other TOPs related information.
Dear Fellow TOP Coaches -
It is with great saddness that I have resigned my position as the TOP Manager for the state of Florida. The past 5 years or so have been a great experience. I have been able to make new friends, watch athletes come through the program, and see Florida TOPs grow and grow. It is with such pride that I leave the program knowing that Florida's TOP numbers have continued to grow over the past 5 years and the quality of athlete qualifying out of Florida to the National Test is top notch. In 2008, 80% of Florida's athletes that qualified to the National Test, qualified to either the National Team or "B" Team. That is amazing. All of you coaches have done an amazing job preparing your athletes for the TOP season and your hard work has definately paid off.
Although the success of the program is very exciting, it is time for me to step away. Last year I went searching for a replacement, someone who would care about the program for the state and not just their individual gym, and someone that was able to put the time in to help Florida TOPs continue to grow. I thought I had found the person, but it fell through. As many of you know I have been thinking about stepping down for quite some time, and when my replacement fell through I considered doing it one more year. However, my little boy will be 8 years old this summer and I feel that I am missing quality family time with him and my husband. I do not feel that I am good for the TOP Manager position because I am unable to put the time in necesssary to help Florida's athletes.
I ask everyone of you to take a moment and consider stepping in and taking the position. Florida TOPs needs one or two good people to manage the program and help continue it's growth. If you take a look at some of the best optional/elite clubs in the country, you will notice that many of them are also good TOP clubs. The TOP program is good for our athletes and we need someone to promote it and help it grow in Florida. If you are interested in the position please contact Gary Warren at GWARR@usa-gymnastics.org
To all of my fellow coaches and friends, thank you.
Kathy
Way to go Florida TOP athletes!
80% of Florida National test participants qualified to either the "A" or "B" National teams.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE NATIONAL TOP TEAM QUALIFIERS!
Bridget Dean, 10- Gymnastics World
Nathalia Castillo, 9 - Coral Reef Gymnatics
Phoebe Marx, 10 - Palm Beach Gymnastics
Heather Swanson, 10 - Twisters Gymnastics
Grace Waguespack, 9 - ACE Gymnastics
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE "B" TEAM QUALIFIERS!
Emily Holt, 11 - ACE Gymnastics
Kendall Kremer, 9 - ACE Gymnastics
Alyssa McCune, 9 - ACE Gymnastics
Alexandria Ruiz, 9 - ACE Gymnastics
Ashley Davis, 11 Nova Gymnastics
Raley Torrence, 10 - Starlight Gymnastics
Caitlin Raczowski, 10 - Sunrise Gymnastics
Congratulations to Florida's TOP
Diamond Athletes!
Kelly Antkiewicz - Coral Reef Gymnastics
Charity Chen - Tampa Bay Turners
Dominique Guerra - Twisters Gymnastics
CONGRATULTIONS TO FLORIDA'S
15 NATIONAL TEST PARTICIPANTS!
Twisters Gymnastics
Heather Swanson
Coral Reef Gymnastics
Nathalia Castillo,Amanda Romano
Nova Gymnastics
Ashley Davis
Gymnastics World
Bridget Dean
ACE Gymnastics
Sarah Ellingson, Emily Holt, Kendall Kremer, Alyssa Mair,
Alyssa McCune, Alexandria Ruiz & Grace Waguespack
Palm Beach Gymnastics
Phoebe Marx
Sunrise Gymnastics
Caitlin Raczkowski
Starlight Gymnastics
Raley Torrance
The number of Florida athletes that have qualified to the National Test as steadily increased for over the past 5 years.
Great job athletes and coaches.
Visit the USAG's TOP Website for all National Test information
http://usa-gymnastics.org/Story.aspx?tabid=789&prog=w
CHECK OUT THE PHOTOS PAGE FOR PICTURES OF THIS SEASON'S TOP'S TESTS.
2008
Physical Abilities and Skill Testing
The elite program committee has met and decided that the 2008 tests for the TOP program will remain the same as in 2007. Please click on the links below for detailed information.
Physical Abilities -
http://www.usa-gymnastics.org/women/tops/topmanualcontents.html
Skill Testing -
http://www.usa-gymnastics.org/women/tops/07TOPskills.pdf
CHANGES 2006
At the National Testing the two beam and floor scores will be combined as follows:
Beam acro(70%) & Beam dance(30%) = Beam score
Floor acro(70%) & Floor dance(30%) = Floor score
Mats for under the beams at National Testing may only go up to the bottom of the beam.
If an athlete is spotted on a skill at National Testing, there will be a deduction of "up to 1.0" for the spot.
Weighing of National Testing Scores:
9 year olds - 60% skills - 40% physical abilities
10 year olds - 70% skills - 30% physical abilities
11 year olds - 80% skills - 20 % physical abilities
Split Test Clarification
Three lines forming (roads) will be placed on both boards. The legs will be place in the opposing roads with the middle of the gymnast being in the middle of the two boards. The back knee must be turned under, be straight, and be in the road to receive no leg deductions.
Any age eligible Hopes division athlete (10 or 11) that scores a 32.00 in compulsories at the US Challenge will automatically qualify to the National TOPs Testing.
Registration and payment ($40.00) for all TOP tests are to be done on-line. Visit the "Events" page to link to the USAG Registration site.
No entries will accepted after 1 week prior to test.
It is no longer necessary to have the Medical History and Physician's Certificate form filled out to register for a state test. Your athlete must still have the Personal Information Form, Access to Information Form, and Coach/Club Information Form completely filled out prior to testing. This form should be brought to your athlete's first test of the season only.
* The National Office has decided that a door fee can be charged for spectators. Because each gym is different and it is not always possible to have spectators in the facility, each test will be different. Spectator availability and door fees for each test will be published on the events page.
Testing Forms:
http://www.usa-gymnastics.org/women/tops/tops-registration.pdf
http://www.usa-gymnastics.org/women/tops/medicalandinformationforms.pdf
This site is being continuously updated.
Check back soon!
