Lake Havasu Young Gymnasts headed to Junior Olympics Games In Texas

By Janet Cruz

Sponsored content by Fallon Marine

Three local Lake Havasu City young gymnasts are headed to The AAU Junior Olympic Games in Houston, Texas, this month, after placing at national competition in Florida in June.

Locals Eva Anderson, Garcia Tapia and Katy K, all gymnasts at Flips For Fun Gymnastics, qualified to take part in the The Amatur Athletic Union or (AAU) Junior Olympic Games in Houston at the AAU National Champions competition in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Katy qualified, but will not be attending.

“We just came back from nationals where many from around the United States, came together to compete against each other,” said Flips For Fun Founder and Director, Jennifer Perea. “The way they get to qualify into Junior Olympics is by getting the highest six scores on any event,” Perea said.

Flips for Fun Lake Havasu RiverScene Magazine

Back Row: Katy K, Rilyn Perea, and Eva Anderson. Front Row: Shelby Fallon, Gracie Tapia, Addilyn Cordola, and Allyson O’Brien. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

“I had a lot of fun at nationals,” said participant Addilyn Cordola. “I really liked doing tumbling and all the events.”

“My favorite part is competing and earning a score of 9.7.” said Allyson O’Brien. “I love that I get to hang out with my friends.”

Eight participants from Lake Havasu City attended Nationals, and three of those participants will move on to the AAU Junior Olympics.

“I am excited and nervous,” said local resident and competitor, Eva Anderson , who will compete as a gold level gymnast. “I started doing cheer and dance and later joined gymanstics here in 2021.”

Anderson and others credit their training at Flips For Fun for gaining their skills in order to compete.

Eva Anderson poses for a photo at Nationals. Photo courtesy JP

“My favorite part is doing cartwheels,” said 5-year-old participant, Lennox Zeman.

“My daughter has been coming since she was 2 years old and she’s also been competiting. She has been able to gain more skills and be active, and is determined to learn more because she is also around the older girls in the program as well. She just loves it,” said parent Ashley Zeman.

According to director Perea, Flips For Fun opened in 2018. Perea, herself took gymnastics growing up and had a love for the sport, but when her daughter expressed interest, she decided to open a gym.

“We started out as just a recreational class on Saturdays, and then we later continued to expand due to the demand for it (to grow) into a bigger facility,” Perea said. “So now we have participants anywhere from 4 year olds to teenagers who train and compete.”

Shelby Fallon practices her gymnastics at Flips for Fun Wednesday afternoon. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

Perea added that Flips For Fun Gymnastics offers sessions for girls and boys and special needs children, to encourage courage, strength and confidance and a place to train and gain friendships.

“My daughter Avery has been coming for a year, she began doing this as a summer activity to do,” said parent Anjela Buckelew. “I have seen so many benefits and most all lots confidence in my daughter.”

Perea adds the Flips for Fun is always looking for sponsors to help families with costs of competition and uniforms.

For more information on Flips For Fun Gymnastics, visit www.fffhavasu.com or call 928-566-8862.

Competitors will head to The AAU Junior Olympics July 22 through August 2, at the George R. Brown Convention Center located in Houston, Texas.