Local Athletes Compete in USA Gymnastics Women's Junior Olympic National Championships

    THOUSAND OAKS, CA, May 12, 2016 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Three elite junior athletes who train at Victory Gymnastics Academy in Newbury Park recently participated in the Women's 2016 Junior Olympic Level IX Western Championships, held Apr. 29-May 1, in Missoula, Mont. Over 446 gymnasts from the 24 states that make up USA Gymnastics' western region competed in the Level IX championship, the highest national competition for USA Gymnastics Level IX gymnasts. Victory was the only gymnastics team in the tri-county region to qualify for the Level IX competition.

"This was the first time these team members have competed in a national competition. We are so proud of their hard work and dedication, and are thrilled for them to compete with these other exceptional athletes," said Howard Laguna, Victory Gymnastics Academy CEO. "Our athletic director Ray Jiang and our entire staff work closely with all of our gymnasts to refine their skills and mentor them so they reach their highest goals."

Sara Ulias, an eighth-grade Oak Park independent studies student, had a personal best on the vault with a score of 9.275, a 9.40 on the floor, finishing in 6th place. She scored a 9.375 on the uneven bars, finishing in 7th place. She placed 17th in the all-around competition.

Alyson Peragine, a sixth-grade student at Mountain Meadows Elementary in Moorpark, placed 7th on the floor event with a score of 9.35. Amy Elsenbaumer, a sophomore at Ventura High School, accompanied the team as alternate, but did not compete.

Since joining Victory in 2005 as athletic director, Jiang, a former member of the Chinese National team, has successfully brought athletes to the USA Gymnastic Nationals 10 times. In addition to this year's girls competing at Level IX Western National Championships (the highest competition possible), Victory had two boys compete at Level X (the highest level) in the Men's Junior Olympic National championships May 4-8 in Battle Creek, Mich.

This June, Victory Gymnastics Academy will celebrate its 10-year anniversary. In addition to its competitive team training, Victory offers a well-equipped facility with programs, equipment, expert instruction and opportunities for kids of all ages and levels.

"Gymnastics builds strength, flexibility, coordination and agility and promotes overall well-being and physical health," said Jiang. "It creates a solid foundation to launch into other sports and, when used as cross-training, can boost performance."

Victory Gymnastics Academy is located at 2330 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks. For more information, call 805-376-9059 or visit http://www.victory-gymnastics.com.

Victory Gymnastics Academy provides quality gymnastics instruction in a fun, positive and safe atmosphere where children of all ages and abilities can enjoy gymnastics and achieve their personal best. Victory offers a spacious 20,000 square-foot training facility that's conveniently located within easy access from all communities in Ventura County and Northern Los Angeles County. Classes are taught by highly qualified and accomplished gymnastics professionals with long-term experience in technique and curriculum, both as competitors and as trainers. Visit Victory Gymnastics at http://www.victory-gymnastic.com or follow them on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/VictoryGymnasticsAcademyNP) and Twitter (https://twitter.com/VictoryGym).

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