Class of 2020

Jacob Aiden Ammendolia
Level: 10
Gym: Above the Bar Gymnastics
Coach: Viorel Popescu
High School: Open High School
College & Major: Undecided/Business
Future Gymnastics: Undecided
James (Jimmy) Cook
Level:
Gym: Capital
Coach: Andrei
High School:
College & Major:
Future Gymnastics:
Erik Engelke
Level: 10
Gym: Above the Bar
Coach: Viorel Popescu
High School: The Steward School
College & Major: US Naval Academy/Undecided
Future Gymnastics: USNA
Other: Academic All-American, 6 time JO National Qualifier, AA Champion 17-year olds
Nathaniel Fernandez
Level: JD1
Gym:Williamsburg
Coach: Pete Walker
High School: Tabb HS
College & Major: Florida State University/Computer Science
Future Gymnastics: Club
Coach’s Comments: Nathaniel was that rec. kid that kept coming back session after session. He worked so hard he earned a spot on the team. He’s the quiet kid that would surprise you with a new skill. At the age of 12 he completed the El Camino Pilgrimage across Spain – a 500 mile journey he completed in one month.
Owen Gesele
Level: 10
Gym: Gymstrada
Coach: Kevin Hallinan
High School: Homeschool
College & Major: Undecided/Kinesiology
Future Gymnastics: Undecided
Other: 2017-2018 JD1, PB National Champion; 2017-2018 JD1 VA State AA Champion & PH, SR, PB and HB Champion; 2016-2017 Level 7, D2 Region 7 AA Champion & PH and PB Champion
Aaron Golden
Level: 10
Gym: Gymstrada
Coach: Kevin Hallinan
High School:
College & Major:
Future Gymnastics:
Blake Hazell
Level: 10
Gym: G-Force
Coaches: Macey Watson & Sam Meng
High School: Briar Woods HS
College & Major: University of Illinois at Chicago/Secondary Education
Future Gymnastics: Hopes to become a judge and a coach
Other: 2 time USAG All American Academic recipient; multiple State & Regional Titles
Cameron Hogge
Level: 10
Gym: Above the Bar
Coach: Viorel Popescu
High School:
College & Major: Undecided/Aeronautical Engineering
Future Gymnastics: Undecided
Zach Idema
Level: JD1
Gym: Williamsburg
Coach: Pete Walker
High School: Homeschool
College & Major: Undecided/Aerospace Engineering
Future Gymnastics: Club
Coach’s Comment: Zach is dependable and can be counted on to push himself and others in the gym. He’s balanced a rigorous course load, done gymnastics and learned to fly airplanes this year. He’s been a pleasure to work with and will be missed by all in the gym.
Nicholas Nohe
Level:
Gym: Youth Sports
Coach: Helena Thorpe
High School: Woodbridge Homeschool Co-op
College & Major: NVCC
Future Gymnastics: Undecided
Tristan Penley
Level: JD1
Gym: Hurricane
Coach: Henry Spencer
High School: Kellam HS
College & Major: Temple/Undecided
Future Gymnastics: Yes
Coach’s Comment: This is Tristan’s third competitive year at Hurricane. He is an excellent young man
and a great role model, not to mention a great gymnast. He is a very hard worker and also a great boys’
gymnastics coach. We will miss him greatly when he goes off to college.
Ahmir Postell
Level:
Gym: Gymstrada
Coach: Kevin Hallinan
High School:
College & Major:
Future Gymnastics:
Stephen Rathbone
Level: 10
Gym: Above the Bar
Coaches: Viorel Popescu
High School: Patrick Henry HS
College & Major: Temple University/ Civil Engineering
Future Gymnastics: Temple
Max Ritterband
Level: JD1
Gym: Classics
Coach: Alec McKee
High School: Monticello HS
College & Major: UVA/Pre-Med
Future Gymnastics: Club
Coach’s Comment: In the time that I’ve coached Max, he has always provided an excellent example of hard work and focus for younger athletes around him. He has been an awesome young man to work with, and I have no doubt he will do great things going forward in college and beyond. If he chooses to attend the University of Virginia, I look forward to getting to continuing coaching Max as a member of the Club Team!
Robert Schultz
Level:
Gym: Aerial East
Coach: Brett Lydon
High School: Homeschool
College & Major: Community College then PSU/Civil Engineering
Future Gymnastics: Yes
Coach’s Comment: Having coached Bobby for 8 years, I have seen him grow into a confident, independent young man who possesses the highest degree of integrity.
William Aaron Smedley
Level: 10
Gym: Youth Sports
Coach: Helena Thorpe
High School: Forest Park HS
College & Major: Eastern Carolina/Undecided
Future Gymnastics: Yes, at private club
Coach’s Comment: Loves working on the Floor; Great motivator for the younger boys on team. He is a great coach for the class boys’ program.
Matt Sulham
Level: 10
Gym: Apollo
Coach: Jason Furr
High School: Lake Braddock Secondary School
College & Major: Penn State/Business
Future Gymnastics: PSU
Other: Competed at JO Nationals 5 times medaling on multiple events and taking 3rd on vault. Academic All-American all 4 years of HS. Earned Eagle Scout.
Coach’s Comment: Matt came to Apollo with a dream of continuing his gymnastics at the collegiate level and he achieved it without question. Matt chose Penn State to pursue a degree in business after he hangs up his grips for good. Matt’s ability to lead by example has been a true asset to his teammates and peers. Matt’s consistent work ethic and refusal to give up was fun to watch as his coach, and for his teammates to witness as well.
Ethan Valencia
Level: 10
Gym: Dynamic
Coach: Chris Yurek
High School: Wakefield HS
College & Major: James Madison University, Engineering
Future Gymnastics: Club
Coach’s Comments: Ethan is team captain and an inspiration to his younger teammates. He brings determination and dedication to the gym. Ethan overcame several injuries with some serious mental toughness to successfully continue in the sport. He demonstrates a passion for gymnastics every day in and outside of the gym. Ethan is proud to be a member of the gymnastics community and will continue to compete in gymnastics at JMU.
Other: Academic All-American