A Flower Mound gymnast will soon be jetting to England to represent the United States in a global competition.
Andrew Shurtleff, 14, a freshman at Flower Mound High School, has been selected to the U.S. team competing in November at the prestigious World Age Group Competition of Trampoline and Tumbling (T&T). The world championship will include some 650 competitors from 40 countries.
Shurtleff is currently ranked third in the nation in his age group in double-mini trampoline. He was selected to compete at Worlds based on his scores at the Junior Olympic National Championships held in San Antonio in July. His teammate, 16-year-old Scott Sapolio, was selected to compete at Worlds in tumbling.
“Andrew and Scott worked hard to perfect their routines,” said Head Coach Becki Weathers. “It is gratifying to see their efforts rewarded by the judges. To represent the entire United States on this world stage is the opportunity of a lifetime.”
In addition to his participation in gymnastics, Shurtleff is also a member of the Flower Mound High School diving team, and he earned scouting’s highest award of Eagle Scout in April of this year.
Shurtleff’s home gym – The Palaestra Gymnastics Center in Farmers Branch – will honor him and teammate Scott Sapolio of Red Oak
by sponsoring special events on Saturday, Sept. 17, which is National Gymnastics Day.
Palaestra is inviting the public to join in breaking a world record for the number of people simultaneously in a handstand. The handstand record attempt will be synchronized at exactly noon local time, with the expectation of thousands of other handstand participants coast to coast in the United States. Participants at Palaestra should show up at 11:30 a.m.
Proceeds from the Sept. 17 activities at Palaestra will help send the athletes to the competition in England.
Members of the public can join in the world-record handstand attempt for a $5 donation. After the handstand event, Palaestra will open to the public for open gym playtime from 12:05 to 2:30 p.m. for $10. The Palaestra is also hosting a garage sale from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to benefit the team’s booster club. For more information, visit www.thepalaestradallas.com.
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