US trampoline enthusiast prepares for the championships
13/10/2009 Eighteen-year-old Hayley Butcher is preparing herself for the World Trampoline Championships next month, when she will be one of just three women who will represent the US in St Petersburg.
The youngster qualified for the event after sterling performances in the US Elite Challenge in May, the Visa Championships in August and the Final Selection Event last month.
Hayley initially began doing gymnastics to help her stay flexible after being diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis when she was four years old.
She told the North West Indiana Times that she is nervous about the upcoming event in Russia, however her coach Oleg Fedosov said she needs to be more confident in her ability.
"Here she trains very well," he told the news provider: "But in competition, she has to trust herself more. What you do here should be the same thing you do over there."
The World Trampoline and Tumbling Championships begin on November 7th. Other US contestants heading to the event include Nani Vercruyssen of Honolulu and Alaina Williams of Huntsville.
The youngster qualified for the event after sterling performances in the US Elite Challenge in May, the Visa Championships in August and the Final Selection Event last month.
Hayley initially began doing gymnastics to help her stay flexible after being diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis when she was four years old.
She told the North West Indiana Times that she is nervous about the upcoming event in Russia, however her coach Oleg Fedosov said she needs to be more confident in her ability.
"Here she trains very well," he told the news provider: "But in competition, she has to trust herself more. What you do here should be the same thing you do over there."
The World Trampoline and Tumbling Championships begin on November 7th. Other US contestants heading to the event include Nani Vercruyssen of Honolulu and Alaina Williams of Huntsville.
