Oswego Gymnast Qualifies International Elite

Oswego resident and Oswego East freshman, Marissa Oakley, qualified for International Elite status in March 2014. Oakley, who trains at Phenom Gymnastics in Oswego, joins just over 40 gymnasts—three from Illinois—representing the U.S. at the International Elite level after qualifying in compulsory and optional meets within the same year.   

“Marissa has been training at Phenom with me since she was 7 years old,” says Phenom owner and head coach, Jessica Holtz.  “She is our first International Elite and we are extremely proud. She was scouted at Level 10 Nationals two years ago by the U.S. National staff of which Valeri Liukin, Olympic Champion Nastia Liukin's coach and father, is the head.”  She travels to Houston to train at the U.S. Developmental Camps one week each month but despite her training, Oakley remains in traditional schooling and still finds time to enjoy hobbies, like swimming, shopping, biking, reading and hanging out with friends.

“Marissa is, by far, the hardest working athlete I've ever worked with,” Holtz says. “She is also the easiest kid to coach that I've ever had. Her determination and attitude are unmatched by anyone I've ever met.” Holtz, along with co-head coach, Marco Bravo, also credit Oakley’s success to her parents, who are supportive of both her goals and her coaches.

As a high school freshman, Oakley has received multiple full ride scholarship offers and recently decided to attend the University of Georgia in 2017. Oakley’s first elite competition is the U.S. Secret Classic on August 2, 2014 in Chicago. At this “home court” competition, more than 125 teammates will cheer Oakley on as she works toward her goal of qualifying for the U.S. National Team at the event.