March 18, 2024

Newton tumbler named Iowa Athlete of the Year

Newton tumbler Chelsea Trotter was recently named Iowa Athlete of the Year at the United States Trampoline And Tumbling Association Iowa State Championships.

MAT Tumbling and Trampoline, the team Trotter competes with, took 72 athletes to compete and was named the Top Overall Team in Iowa at the event held last month at Marshalltown Community College.

“This was a young team that believed in learning, working hard and not being satisfied,” head coach Ron Brooks said.

Starting at age 4 through 17 and older, MAT brought home 30 state champions and 18 runner-ups. Along with being name Iowa Athlete of the Year — which is voted on by judges and coaches across the state of Iowa — Trotter was also named state champion in Tumbling.

“It is great to have one of the MAT athletes recognized as being one of the best in the state, inside and outside the gym,” Brooks said.

The MAT gym hosted the state championship in both the Babe Harder Gym and the new Student Activity Center in Marshalltown. Both gyms were full as more than 4,000 athlete and families attended the two day event.

Saturday saw athletes compete in the trampoline and double mini trampoline competition. All power tumbling events were held Sunday. Competitors received medals for flight awards regardless of where they placed. Those who placed in the top 15 for their age and level received a ribbon and trophy. If an athlete was named state champion, they received the ribbon and trophy along with a patch for their achievement.

Along with Trotter winning her individual award, winning the sportsmanship award was Lyris Kapayou, a novice 11-year-old member. Mackensie Schuster was also nominated for the Vickie Wilson Spirit Award for advanced/elite 16-17-year-old member.

All athletes that competed with MAT qualified for USTA Nationals to be held June 16-20 in Rapids City, S.D. Sixty athletes plan to compete at nationals where MAT has been the top team from Iowa for many years as well as a constant top three in the nation, Brooks said.

MAT Tumbling and Trampoline has locations in Marshalltown and Newton. They are coached by Brooks who was voted Iowa Coach Of The Year in 2003, 2007 and 2012 and has been a four-time national coach of the year nominee. Brooks has been a power tumbling/trampoline coach for 20 years and has a background in high school and college wrestling. He has coached numerous state and national champions and five athletes of the year.

MAT is holding an introductory camp for children ages 4 and up from 6:15 to 7:30 p.m. June 5 and 10:15 to 11:30 a.m. June 6 to learn about the world of trampoline, tumbling and gymnastics. The two-day camp held at the Newton location, 212 S. Second Ave. E., is a great way to begin exploring what it is like to flip and fly through the air.

Participants will be lead by safety certified instructors who will guide them through basic tumbling and gymnastic shapes and skills while getting familiar with the different equipment that is involved int eh sport. That equipment includes the trampoline, double-mini trampoline balance beam and elevated rod floor as well as numerous skill-building shapes and wedges.

For more information, contact MAT at 641-752-6373 or visit their website at www.mattumblers.com.

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com