Keitel Wins Tyson Smith Scholarship

INDIANAPOLIS, June 17, 2016 — Ten U.S. trampoline and tumbling athletes were awarded USA Gymnastics Trampoline and Tumbling Scholarships at the conclusion of the 2016 USA Gymnastics Championships, held recently in Providence, R.I. The USA Gymnastics Scholarship Fund was established more than 10 years ago to give college-age athletes every opportunity to meet the demands of higher education while still training and competing in trampoline and tumbling.

This year’s scholarship recipients are as follows.

Tyson Smith Scholarship: Kelly Keitel, Effingham, Ill./Top Star Trampoline and Tumbling, and Hope Bravo, Dallas, Texas/Eagles Wings Athletics, $3,000 each

Jeff T. Hennessey Scholarship: Stewart Pritchard, Greensboro, N.C./ Ultimate Air T&T, $5,000

Jordan Bonne Memorial Scholarship: Dakota Earnest, Lafayette, La./Trampoline and Tumbling Express, and Brandon Krzynefski, Centreville, Va./Capital Gymnastics National Training Center, $3,000 each

George Nissen Memorial Scholarship: Shaylee Dunavin, Lafayette, La./Trampoline and Tumbling Express, and Cody Gesuelli, Middletown, N.J./Midwest Training and Ice Center, $3,000 each

Additional scholarship recipients of $1,500 each

Nicole Ahsinger, Lafayette, La./Trampoline and Tumbling Express

Megan Hiruko, Chandler, Ariz./Aspire Kids Sports Center

Paul Bretscher, Knoxville, Tenn./The Matrix Gym

Below is a description of each scholarship.

Jeff T. Hennessey Scholarship: established to afford deserving athletes the opportunity to pursue academic and athletic excellence. This scholarship honoring Coach Hennessey’s career and commitment to the sport of trampoline and tumbling is awarded yearly to the qualified applicant who best exhibits the attributes of athletic achievement, sportsmanship and scholarship.

Tyson Smith Scholarship: presented to the USA Gymnastics trampoline and tumbling athlete who has exhibited the talent, diversity and sportsmanship that defined Tyson Smith’s life. Smith, the son of Carole and Craig Smith and brother of Brooke, was an outstanding all-around athlete who competed in trampoline and tumbling; was a member of the U.S. National Team; and represented Naples (Fla.) Progressive Gymnastics. He was killed in a tragic traffic accident in February 2003. His many athletic accomplishments included seven national titles, three international titles, a three-time AAU All-American, and becoming the first athlete form Florida to represent the USA in international competition.

Jordan Bonne Memorial Scholarship: awarded to an athlete whose career and performance best exhibit Jordan Bonne’s love for trampoline and his sense of fairness, academic excellence and spiritual faith. The scholarship is dedicated to the memory of Bonne, a USA Gymnastics trampoline athlete. Bonne was an exceptional young man whose family and teammates were privileged to know his spirit, enthusiasm, sportsmanship and faith. The entire community felt the loss of Bonne, but his young life served as an inspiration to his family, team and church.

George Nissen Memorial Scholarship: presented to a trampoline competitor who continues to strive to reach new heights in the sport while pursing academic excellence and inspiring others. The scholarship is dedicated in memory of trampoline inventor George Nissen, whose contributions touch every athlete who has competed in gymnastics. Nissen was a true inspiration to those around him and dedicated his life to the advancement of the sport of trampoline, as well as the human spirit.

A five-member scholarship committee evaluates the applications and presents the awards. The annual scholarships are granted to trampoline and tumbling athletes based on many factors, including GPA, educational goals, previous competitive performance, financial need, athletic potential, leadership, reference letters, an essay, and any specific characteristics identified by the scholarship.