TOPs / Hopes / Elite Program

Tailored for Greatness
Our Elite Program, including Hopes and TOPs tracks, is built for athletes with extraordinary potential and discipline. We understand that elite success requires flexibility, trust, and a highly individualized plan. That’s why our program adapts to each gymnast’s unique path.

We offer a dedicated morning training group for homeschool athletes, providing the space, time, and support needed to train at the highest level while still prioritizing education and wellbeing.

What Sets Our Elite Program Apart

  • Custom athlete-centered plans, not one-size-fits-all methods
  • Frequent collaboration between coaches, athletes, and families
  • Individual parent-athlete meetings for goal setting and competition planning
  • A track record of developing not just strong gymnasts, but strong people
  • A focus on mental resilience, injury prevention, and personal confidence
  • A history of National Team Members and International Competitions representing Team USA

National and International Recognition and Honors

  • Nola Matthews 
    • 5x U.S. National Team Member— 2021-2025
    • 3x Sportsperson of the Year Award, as voted by her peers— 2023-2025
    • 2022 OOFOS U.S. Gymnastics Championships, Tampa, Fla. – 4th-UB
    • 2022 U.S. Classic, Salt Lake City, Utah – 2nd-UB; 4th-BB; 6th-AA; 8th-FX
    • 2022 Winter Cup, Frisco, Texas – 1st-UB; 5th-AA(T); 7th-BB(T)
    • 2022 DTB Pokal Cup, Stuttgart, Germany – 1st-Team; 3rd-UB
    • 2023 Core Hydration Classic, Hoffman Estates, Ill. – 4th-AA, UB(T); 5th-FX; 6th-BB
    • 2023 Winter Cup, Louisville, Ky. – 3rd-AA; 4th-FX(T); 5th-UB; 6th-BB
    • 2023 Senior Pan American Championships, Medellin, Colombia – 1st-Team, UB; 4th-AA
    • 2023 DTB Pokal Mixed Cup, Stuttgart, Germany – 4th-Team
    • 2023 DTB Pokal Team Challenge, Stuttgart, Germany – 1st-Team
    • 2024 Winter Cup, Louisville, Ky. – 5th-FX
    • DTB Pokal, Stuttgart, Germany— Team Gold as the highest scoring American on every event she competed.
    • 2025 U.S. Classic Presented by Saatva, Hoffman Estates, Ill. – 8th-UB(T)
    • 2025 Winter Cup, Louisville, Ky. – 1st-FX; 5th-AA; 6th-BB
    • 2025 Varna World Challenge Cup, Varna, Bulgaria – 1st-UB, FX; 5th-BB
    • 2025 DTB Mixed Cup, Stuttgart, Germany – 1st-Team
  • Tyler Turner
    • Junior U.S. National Team Member 2024
    • 2021 Hopes Championships, Indianapolis, Ind. – 1st-BB(T), FX(T); 2nd-AA; 4th-VT; 6th-UB
    • 2021 Hopes Classic, Indianapolis, Ind. – 3rd-VT; 4th-FX(T); 7th-AA(T); 8th-UB
    • 2023 Core Hydration Classic, Hoffman Estates, Ill. – 3rd-UB
    • 2023 American Classic, Katy, Texas – 3rd-UB; 7th-VT
    • 2024 Winter Cup, Louisville, Ky. – 2nd-FX; 3rd-AA(T); 7th-UB(T); 8th-BB(T)
    • 2024 International Gymnix, Montreal, Canada – 1st-Team
  • Aki Tanda
    • Hopes Classic BB silver medalist
    • Hopes Championships BB and FX silver medalist
    • Hopes Championships AA bronze medalist.
  • Kaliya Lincoln
    • Junior U.S. National Team Member 2020
    • 2020 Gymnix International, Montreal, Canada – 1st-Team (Jr. Div.)
    • 2018 GK U.S. Classic, Columbus, Ohio – 6th-FX (Jr. Div.)
    • 2018 American Classic, Salt Lake City, Utah – 1st-FX; 5th-BB (Jr. Div.)
    • 2017 Hopes Championships, Chicago, Ill. – 1st-AA, VT, FX; 3rd-BB(T); 5th-UB (10-11)
  • Rafaela O’Neill 
    • 2019 GK U.S. Classic— 1st—AA, VT, BB; 2nd— FX; 3rd— UB
  • Desi Borgese
    • 2008 International Elite US Classic: 10th Place All Around, VISA Championships Qualifier
    • 2010 VISA Championships Qualifier
    • 2011 US Developmental Training Squad
  • Carol Chang
    • 2004 National Elite
  • Melissa Chan
    • 2x U.S. National Team Member— 1999-2000
    • 1999 International Elite Team Member American Classic: 5th Place All Around
    • 2000 U.S.A Championships: 1st place VT Champion, 4th place BB, 5th place FX, 8th place AA
    • 2000 USA vs. France: 1st Place Vault Champion, Paris, France

Airborne’s Elite Program From The Beginning

In 1999 Melissa Chan, at the age of 12, placed 5th AA at the American Classic and qualified to be part of the US National Team. The following year she was the US Junior Vault Champion and the only junior athlete to compete a Yurchenko double full on the old vaulting horse. Placing 4th on beam, 5th on floor and 8th AA, she qualified to the US National Team and was given an assignment to represent our country in Paris, France. She made quite an impression competing original difficult skills, such as a front half mount on beam.

After a few years as an Elite gymnast Melissa decided to drop back to Level 10 where she won 3 in a row Junior Olympic National AA Titles (2002, 2003 and 2004) –she is only one of two athletes to accomplish such a feat. Melissa went on to compete for UCLA and is now working in Los Gatos as a CPA.
In 2004, Carol Chang qualified as a National Elite and eventually had a successful collegiate career as a Cal Gymnast. She is now in medical school.

In 2010, Desi Borgese came through the TOPS program and qualified for the VISA Championships. In 2011, she qualified for the US Developmental Training Squad. Desi was a passionate, talented athlete that many young girls in the gym looked up to. She is currently studying at the University of Arizona.