Top Tumbler Advances to World Championships in England

Orland Park resident Kristle Lowell has traveled all over the country and competed as one of the best athletes in trampoline and tumbling.

She never has gone overseas for a meet, but that will change this November because she’s qualified for the Trampoline, Tumbling and Double-Mini Trampoline World Championships from Nov. 17-20 in Birmingham, England.

“I was just in New Orleans and I’ve gone down to Texas a lot,” Lowell said. “But this will be my first time leaving the country to compete. I’m pretty excited.”

Trampoline and Double-Mini are similar to gymnastics in some ways but far more extreme. Competitors perform skills during jumps and their dismounts and utilize a variety of rotations, twists and shapes. Their scores are determined by judges.

“I try to tell people that it’s like what gymnasts do but from 20 feet higher in the air with more elements,” she said. “We’re doing doubles and triples, so it’s a lot more extreme and free form because you can pretty much make your own passes.”

Tumbling on USA in Mokena, where she is coached by Matt Terlep, has become a second home to the 19-year-old Lowell, who is heading into her third year of college at Lewis University in Romeoville.

She is coming off a very strong performance last weekend in the AAU Junior Olympics. Lowell won the double-mini trampoline and trampoline at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Earlier this summer, she tied for top spot as a Senior Elite on the double-mini during the USAG (USA gymnastics) Nationals in San Antonio, Texas. Her efforts there are sending her to the World Championships.

Senior Elite is the highest level one can reach in this sport. Lowell is just one of nine women in the United States who is rated as a Senior Elite competitor. If that’s not exclusive enough company, then consider the fact that she’s just one of two women in the entire country who is Senior Elite in two events: trampoline and double-mini trampoline.

Lowell has worked diligently at the sport since she first took it up when she was 4 years old.  She’s remained committed to it because of her love of the sport and it shows in her practice schedule alone. Lowell said she spends four days in the gym for 2½ to 3 hours, as well as an additional 2 hours of training at home, and also another three days of training at yet another gym for 3½ hours per day.

“Sometimes there’s some overlapping with all the training I’m doing,” she said. “I don’t have much free time. It’s pretty much going to the gym to work, going to school and coming home to work some more and do homework.”

Her dedication has most certainly paid off with incredible success.

“For each event in USAG, you have to work your way up to their significant level,” Terlep said “She’s reached the Senior Elite status in trampoline and double-mini and now has a chance to complete in  the World Championships.”

The 2009 graduate of Sandburg High School didn’t expect to qualify for the World Championships this year. She switched over to USAG for the opportunity and anticipated that it could take as long as two years for her to qualify, but she sped through the process in about four months.

“I had no idea I would get this far this quickly,” she said. “It’s a real surprise and I’m still pretty shocked that I am going.”

Lowell is studying criminal justice at Lewis. She plans on going into law school after she graduates. As for her trampoline and double-mini career, she plans to continue going at it for as long as her body will allow her.

“There have been some people who are 35 and even 40 years old who are still going at it,” she said. “I plan on continuing to do it as long as I can.”

For now, her focus is on working hard in the gym for the next few months in preparation for the World Championships in England.

The cost to compete in England is more than hard work in the gym, though. Lowell is seeking private sponsors to help send her to England. She’s also selling red, white and blue bracelets for $5 to help raise funds.

Call Tumbling on USA at (815) 464-3581 or visit the facility at 8500 West 191st Street in Mokena to purchase a bracelet or learn about additional opportunities.