The Southwest Voice

By: Ami Taylor

Jimmy Zielsdorf from Southwest Bakersfield’s Stars Gymnastics Tumbling and Trampoline team is heading to Quebec. We are all very excited for him. He set his goal to be world champion last year and has worked very hard to get to this point. He has competed and qualified at several events this year and has reached his goal to be the representative of the USA at the World Age Group Championships in Quebec City, Quebec from Nov. 6 through 10. There are 32 countries competing and we are very proud that Jimmy will be a representative of Team USA.

First he had to make the decision to be a junior elite competitor, which meant committing to more competitions at a higher level and a lot of traveling. Along with Coach Andy, he first went to Lubbock, Texas to the USA Gymnastics Trampoline and Tumbling 2007 Winter Classic. Jimmy placed second on the double mini. They then went to Colorado Springs, Colo. for the U.S. Elite Challenge where he took third against an impressive group of young men. While in Colorado Springs he also had the first qualifier for World Age Group Team and placed an impressive second. Then the family traveled to Memphis, Tenn. for the National Championships. Jimmy finally attained the title of National Champion! Coach Andy and Jimmy were back on the road in September for the final qualifier and The Stars and Stripes cup. Jimmy not only took home the gold for the The Stars and Stripe Cup, he also finished second at the qualifier to clinch his spot on Team USA!

His final goal to be accomplished will be winning the World Age Group competition. The World Cup is for elite athletes whereas the World Age Group Championships is for junior elite athletes. Jimmy is considered one of the best junior elite double mini athletes in the country. The entire Tumbling and Trampoline family and Stars Gymnastics is thrilled for him and proud of his hard work and accomplishments.