JENISON -- Ask Erika Stevens if she likes Iowa, and she will tell you that she absolutely loves it. That's because she had the competition of her life at the AAU Junior Olympic National Championships in Des Moines last week.
Stevens, 12, took home gold on the trampoline as well as the double-mini trampoline in the Advanced division. Along with her partner, Shelby Werkema, who is also from Hudsonville, she earned her third gold in synchronized trampoline.
Both girls train at Horizon Complex in Jenison, which has produced national champions every year since 1997. This year, Horizon took 10 girls to Iowa for the competition, earning five gold medals.
Shelby Werkema also took home a gold medal in the tumbling event. Her scores earned her all-American honors, given to the top three scoring athletes of the entire competition. Paige Rhein, 9, earned gold on the double-mini trampoline, which she also won last year.
Katie VanIwaarden, Jasmine Martinez, Maeleah Davis, Anna Lutke, Angela Douma, Jaycie Schultz, and Josie Smith rounded out the team that traveled down to Iowa. The team is coached by Crystal Brink and Amy Engelsman.