Local acrobatic gymnast competes internationally in Poland

Local acrobatic gymnast competes internationally in Poland

Natalia Finnegan of Scripps Ranch (11) and MariaBella Riley (14), members of the SoCal TTC Acro Team, are making their mark in acrobatic gymnastics both nationally and on the international stage.

The talented pair are four-time National Champions and were recently selected to be part of the Team USA international development team, most recently traveling to Poland Sept. 3-6 where they competed against talented athletes representing countries including France, Estonia and Poland. They returned home with a gold medal, adding another international achievement to an already impressive record.

Their international success began last spring when Natalia and MariaBella traveled to Spain to compete for Team USA, where they earned an impressive three gold medals. Their continued success on the international stage has given the young athletes the opportunity to represent their country while competing against some of the strongest acrobatic gymnastics partnerships from around the world.

Their accomplishments were also recognized at the USA Gymnastics National Championships in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where they received the prestigious Glenn Sunby Award, recognizing an outstanding performance among competitors across the 11-16 age-group category.

Behind the medals and accolades are years of dedication, countless hours in the gym and an extraordinary level of trust and teamwork between the two athletes. Acrobatic gymnastics requires strength, balance, flexibility and complete confidence in one another – qualities Natalia and MariaBella have developed through their partnership and commitment to the sport.

From becoming four-time National Champions to standing on the podium while representing Team USA in Spain and Poland, Natalia and MariaBella continue to demonstrate what is possible when talent, determination and teamwork come together. Their journey is not only a testament to their individual dedication, but also to the coaches, families and teammates who support them every step of the way.