AAU - Trampoline and Tumbling

CURRENT NATIONAL CHAMPIONS LOOKING TO REPEAT TITLE

07/25/2014

Written by: Shannon Craighead Trampoline and Tumbling competitors Noelani Mattson and Kira Deaver are no strangers to the location of the 2014 AAU Junior Olympic Games as they already call Iowa their home state. But it doesn't stop there. They are familiar with the competition as well, returning to this ...

Written by: Shannon Craighead

Trampoline and Tumbling competitors Noelani Mattson and Kira Deaver are no strangers to the location of the 2014 AAU Junior Olympic Games as they already call Iowa their home state. But it doesn't stop there. They are familiar with the competition as well, returning to this year's event as the reigning National Champions in Trampoline Sub Advanced Synchro.

Aside from leaving with gold around their necks, it's the atmosphere that keeps them coming back to the competition.

"It's fun to compete against people that you don't really know," Kira said.

Deaver started Trampoline and Tumbling at age three and Mattson started at age six, and they don't plan on stopping any time soon. They both agreed that they would continue competing for as long as they can.

Mattson got started with the sport because she followed in her mother's footsteps. Her mom competed in Trampoline and Tumbling when she was little and wanted her daughter to compete in the sport as well.

Deaver's start was a bit different. She had been begging her mom to join Gymnastics when her they happened to drive by Flip Squad and saw a note inviting beginners to join. Deaver was signed up that day.

Though their starts may have a different story, the two girls have come together and created something great: A National Championship with a quest for another. With a target on their back entering competition, can they leave Des Moines as champions?