DIXON – When Robert Tourtillott is training at the Gymnastics Divine studio in downtown Dixon, sometimes his ankles bump up against the low ceilings.

There was nothing to contain Tourtillott and teammate Haley Rees, however, at the United States Tumbling Association national championship held June 14-18 in Knoxville, Tenn. Each earned first place at the event at which 156 clubs from across the country were represented.

Gymnastics Divine had 17 qualifiers for the event, and 14 actually made the trip to Tennessee. Seven of the 14 athletes finished in the top nine places.

Rees earned top honors in the Sub Novice 12 Division. She has been in gymnastics since she was a young girl, but this is the first year she is actually competing.

“It was really exciting,” Rees said. “My family was really proud of me. We had a little celebration party for it.”

Rees hopes to expand her tumbling and gymnastics skills into becoming a competitive cheerleader in college, where tricks and stunts are the norm.

“I used to be not serious about gymnastics,” Rees said. “I’d do other things, like dance and basketball. Now I’m getting into gymnastics, and I love to compete. I never thought I’d make it to nationals, let alone win.”

Rees’ favorite move is a back handspring. She does about seven of them on the relatively short runway at the Gymnastics Divine studio, but is capable of doing many more.

Tourtillott’s favorite move is a double full, in which he does a back flip with two full turns in the air. He didn’t execute the move at nationals, but was able to best one other competitor in the Sub Advanced 16 Division and earn first place.

He had qualified four other times for the national meet, and competed twice, but this was his best finish.

Tourtillott, who will be a junior at Dixon High School in the fall, plans on playing basketball for the Dukes. He hopes his tumbling skills help him on the basketball court.

“It always helps with other sports,” Tourtillott said. “It gives you more flexibility, and you’re just able to maneuver better.”

The next-best finisher at the national meet was Anna Stender, who was third in the Sub Novice 8 Division. Stender also performed at nationals as part of an all-star team, as she had qualified at a USTA All-Star Team Trial in Decatur back in March. Eighty teams were there, and just 21 tumblers were selected for the all-star team.

Those placing in the top nine at nationals included Gracie Tremble (4th, Sub Novice 8 Division); Sophie Stender (6th, Intermediate 11 Division); Ava Hackman (8th, Novice 11 Division); and Kennedy Teller (9th, Intermediate 8 Division).

They were joined by Bridget McCrory (11th, Sub Advanced 12 Division); Zoe Smith (13th, Beginning 11 Division); Alyssa Moss (16th, Sub Novice 11 Division); Ali Bellini (16th, Intermediate 17 Division); Graci Junis (20th, Sub Novice 10 Division); and Bailey Tegeler (24th, Sub Novice 9 Division).

Carlie Day also competed at the national meet.

All of the Gymnastics Divine national qualifiers earned their spots at the state meet held April 25 in Rock Island.

The physical act of tumbling is only part of the training athletes undergo at Gymnastics Divine. There is also mental training, known as the “Mental Warrior” program, that consists of eight parts.

“When I have a big test coming up, I think about it and tell myself I can do it,” Rees said.

“The life lessons is always what I’m about,” Gymnastics Divine owner Deb DeLancey said. “Learn how to be in front of people, learn how to compete, learn from your mistakes, get back up and get out there again, being calm and in control in each situation – that follows them into the rest of their lives. That’s a big part of their success.”

USTA national champions

• Haley Rees, Sub Novice 12

• Robert Tourtillott, Sub Advanced 16