A recent Delavan High School graduate is set to represent the United States on one of gymnastics’ biggest international stages.

Amelia Gasper, a 2025 Delavan High School graduate, has been named to the USA Gymnastics National Tumbling Team, earning a coveted spot on the delegation that will compete at the 2026 Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG) Trampoline and Tumbling World Cup in Coimbra, Portugal.

The international event is scheduled for June 30 through July 6, and will feature top athletes from around the globe competing in trampoline, double mini-trampoline and power tumbling disciplines. Gasper’s selection marks a major milestone for the Delavan native and highlights years of dedication to elite-level training.

Gasper trains at Jump Start Plus in Peoria, a premier gymnastics and tumbling facility that announced her selection in a recent press release. According to the facility, Gasper secured her position on the national team following a series of standout performances at high-level competitions, including a third-place finish at the 2026 Elite Challenge in Wichita, Kansas.

That performance helped solidify her standing among the nation’s top tumblers and ultimately earned her the opportunity to wear Team USA colors at the World Cup.

Gasper is no stranger to international competition. She has previously represented the United States at events in Italy and the United Kingdom, gaining valuable experience against top-tier global opponents. She also posted a fifth-place finish at the World Age Group Competitions, demonstrating her ability to compete at an elite level.

This summer’s World Cup appearance will mark her participation as a member of the Senior National Team delegation, an achievement that reflects both her growth as an athlete and her consistency in competition.

Jump Start Plus Head Coach Ky Shaw praised Gasper’s work ethic and dedication, crediting her success to years of focused training.

“Amelia’s selection to the USA National Team is a testament to her incredible work ethic, consistency, and passion for the sport,” Shaw said in the press release. “She has poured years of intense training into mastering her degree of difficulty and execution.”

Shaw added that Gasper’s achievement is a point of pride not only for the gym but for the broader Central Illinois community.

“The entire Jump Start Plus family and the Peoria community will be cheering her on as she represents our country in Portugal,” he said.
Gasper’s journey from Delavan to the international stage underscores the level of talent emerging from smaller communities and the opportunities available through dedicated training programs. Her success also highlights Peoria’s growing reputation as a hub for elite gymnastics and tumbling instruction, thanks in part to programs like Jump Start Plus.

Located in Peoria, Jump Start Plus offers training across a range of disciplines, from introductory gymnastics classes to high-performance coaching for athletes competing at national and international levels. The facility has developed a track record of producing elite competitors, with Gasper now joining the ranks of athletes representing Team USA.

At the World Cup in Coimbra, Gasper will face some of the best tumblers in the world. The competition will begin with preliminary rounds held as part of the Columbria Gym Fest, with the World Cup finals scheduled for July 4 and 5.

As she prepares for the event, Gasper carries not only national expectations but also the support of her hometown. For Delavan residents, her achievement is a source of pride and a reminder of the heights local athletes can reach through hard work and determination.

With international experience already under her belt and momentum from a strong competition season, Gasper will enter the World Cup aiming to bring home a top finish for Team USA — and to continue building on an already impressive career.