SCRANTON, Pa. — Malania Stanley has jumped her way to new heights.
The 13-year-old out of Abington Heights School District was recently accepted into USA Gymnastics' Elite Program, which puts her on a fast tract to competing in the 2028 Olympics.
Stanley is the first female in Pennsylvania to get accepted into the youth elite level.
"It makes me feel very excited for my future and very motivated to keep going," said Stanley. "I feel like I generally have such a passion for what I do and I just love the progress that you can make in gymnastics. You know, gymnastics isn't really like an instant, like sport. You don't get things instantly. It takes a lot to like, become good at it, but I just love that whole process," said Stanley.
There are three levels to the Elite Program, beginning with the Youth level. As Stanley gets older, she could advance to the Junior and Senior levels of the program, which exposes her to even more training and higher level competition. Once the Senior level is reached, it's all about preparing for the Olympics.
"This year, I want to try my best to make a national team," said Stanley. "From there, I can compete- like once you become elite, you can compete internationally. I really want to do well there and compete really big internationally."
Olympic hopefuls are no stranger to the United Sports Academy Trampoline & Tumbling gym. The gym has had two previous Olympians on the staff where Stanley trains.
"Malania becoming elite athlete is such an amazing accomplishment for our gym," said Stanley's coach, Alexis Martin. "Malania is just amazing in every way. I, you know, I cannot say enough good things about her, her work ethic and her teammates— her teammates have been very supportive of her from day one. I think it really lends that this can be done and we hope to achieve many more athletes," said Martin.