The State Committee has decided each year a minimum of two names will be pulled from a list of coaches/judges/committee members who have selflessly volunteered for any of our state events. We randomly pulled a name from each category. These winners won an all expense paid trip to Karolyi's Ranch to watch the TOPS athletes train for three days. It is a very intensive gymnastics experience! Please enjoy reading and learning about their experience. If you would like to be considered for the trip, all you need to do is volunteer for any of our camps or clinics.

2011 Winners

Matt Brinker - Southern Ohio Gymnastics Academy (SOGA)  |  Jamie Parsley - Fliptastic

2010 Winners

Brian Grier - Fliptastic  |  Jasmine Musick - Dayton Academy

"Nina, I want to thank you (and Ohio USAG and USAG) in advance for this amazing opportunity. I am beyond excited at this point. It's like a kid counting down the days till Christmas, only better!

"Its funny I sent a message to one of my oldest friends and was cryptic about it, I told him that "I had the best news, something that I have always dreamed about, something that would change my life". Most friends would say "congrats your having a baby!". He said give me a hint, and I told him "gymnastics" and then he new exactly, he says "have fun in Texas, tell Bela I said hi". I have known him for close to 20 years. It would be an understatement to say that I am excited. I don't think that there are actual words to describe how I feel about this opportunity. I have spent my life loving gymnastics and the last 15 or so years of it coaching. I make every effort to advance my knowledge through clinics and training when I can afford the time off and the travel. When I was an athlete, I didn't dream of being like Mary Lou or Kim Zmeskal, I dreamed of being like Bela. At the time he was (and is) the most iconic gymnastics coach in US history. I was talented as a gymnast but it wasn't in the cards for me, I had an accident at 13 that put me out as an athlete but I knew that wasn't it. I always told my mom that if I couldn't be a great gymnast, I would be a great coach! The opportunity to go to Texas and learn from the people who make this sport what it is, the people to who like me put heart and soul into their life's passion, its more than I could have ever hoped for.

"I don't think I would have the chance to go to the Ranch outside of this, not to say I'm not still hoping to come across the newest little hot shot in my gym. But I know that happens few and far between in small towns like mine. I'm grateful and thankful and humbled. I am ecstatic and nervous and full of emotion. This is amazing, Thank you!" Jasmine Musick