Cheers for Aliah: Denton Girl Now Ranked 6th in Country in Gymnastics Tumbling

USA Gymnastics has announced the U.S. Trampoline and Tumbling Team for the 2017 World Age Group Competition, Nov. 13-20, in Sofia, Bulgaria. The World Age Group Competition will determine champions in trampoline, double mini-trampoline and tumbling for boys and girls in age-groups 11-12, 13-14, 15-16 and 17-21.  

Twelve year old Aliah Raga of Denton, a gymnast at Chesapeake Gymnastics in Easton, has been named as a U.S. Trampoline and Tumbling Team member in the competition’s double mini-trampoline event.  The U.S. Team for the World Age Group Competition was named by the Selection Committee based on scores from USA Gymnastic National Championships as well as bonus points earned at Winter Classic, Elite Challenge and USA Gymnastic National Championships.

Raga has trained in gymnastics since she was five.  “After climbing baby gates in her infancy and the tallest slides when she was a toddler, I realized that a recreational class at Easton’s Chesapeake Gymnastics was what she needed,” proclaimed Adrienne Raga, Aliah’s mother.  After only a few months, Raga advanced to Chesapeake’s artistic gymnastics team, which claimed multiple first place team trophies her first year, and where Aliah received a gold medal on balance beam at the State competition.  By the time Raga was eight, Coach Joan Dyott moved her to the Chesapeake Gymnastics’ Trampoline and Tumbling program. “With her power and determination, she was destined to succeed there,” noted Dyott.

Although Raga was ranked 6th in the nation for power tumbling level 9 in the 11-12 year old age group at the 2016 USAG Trampoline and Tumbling Championships, she was unable to compete in that event during 2017, due to an injury. Aliah was, however, able to compete at the 2017 Fairland T&T Invitational in both trampoline, where her five double somersaults earned her a bronze medal, and in double mini-trampoline, where two double somersaults earned her the gold.  She was mobilized to youth elite status in both of these events, and went on to compete at the 2017 USAG T&T Nationals, taking third place in double mini-trampoline as a youth elite.  

When asked how she felt about representing the United States in an international meet, Raga stated, “Whatever happens will happen, I am just happy that I will be there.”  

Champions Booster Club, a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to supporting and encouraging Chesapeake Gymnastics team members to reach such heights, is accepting donations to assist with the expenses involved in travel to Sofia, Bulgaria for the World Age Group Competition.  If you would like make a donation, please send checks to Champions Booster Club, c/o Chesapeake Gymnastics, 8610 Commerce Drive, Easton, MD 21601.  For further information, contact Deborah Davis at (443) 239-1194.

#   #   #