Shilese Jones, two-time world champion, and nationally recognized coach Sarah Korngold inspire and train local gymnasts at Becca’s Place Gymnastics summer camp 

Becca’s Place Gymnastics welcomed two of the most respected names in gymnastics to their annual team camp this weekend: two-time World Champion and Olympic hopeful Shilese Jones and her coach, nationally recognized elite coach Sarah Korngold. Together, they provided more than 100 local gymnasts with an unparalleled training and mentorship experience while raising funds for two meaningful community causes.

Jones, widely regarded as one of the top gymnasts in the world, is a multi-time national and international medalist known for her incredible power, artistry, and consistency across all four events. A member of the USA Gymnastics Senior National Team since 2018, Jones claimed silver in the all-around and uneven bars at the 2022 World Championships, contributed to the USA’s gold medal team win at Worlds, and was considered a strong contender for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris until she suffered a knee injury during the first day of the Olympic trials, forcing her to withdraw from the competition.

Joining her on the floor all three days of camp at Becca’s Place Gymnastics was her coach, Sarah Korngold, a nationally respected leader in gymnastics coaching who has developed athletes at every level—from beginners to world-class elites and Olympic hopefuls. Korngold’s knowledge, experience, and dedication to athlete development brought a unique layer of technical expertise to this year’s camp.

“Having both Shilese and Sarah here is an incredible honor for our athletes,” said Co-Head Coach Jennifer Ryan, who owns the gym alongside her sister and fellow Co-Head Coach, Jessika Bohannon-Ferriss. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn from two people who are shaping the future of American gymnastics.”

The annual three-day camp at Becca’s Place not only prepares gymnasts for their upcoming competitive season but also instills in them the importance of giving back to their community. This year’s fundraiser supported Julie Sutton’s Shoes, which provides new school shoes to local students in need, and the Youth Sports Fund of Hardin County, ensuring all young athletes have the opportunity to participate in sports programs regardless of financial barriers.

The fundraiser allowed gymnasts to compete for prizes while collecting donations for these vital causes. The top fundraiser earned a private one-on-one lesson and dinner with Shilese Jones, with additional prizes awarded to runners-up, including semi-private lessons and event workshops led by Jones.

In addition, those gymnasts who collected $750 or more in donations were invited to “Shop for Shoes with Shilese” – an exclusive opportunity to join Shilese Jones in personally shopping for and purchasing back-to-school shoes for local students through the Julie Sutton’s Shoes program. This meaningful experience allowed gymnasts to see firsthand the impact of their fundraising efforts while sharing a special moment of giving back alongside one of their idols.

“At Becca’s Place, we want to teach our gymnasts to be strong athletes and strong community leaders,” said Bohannon-Ferriss. “Learning from Shilese and Sarah, two of the best in the world, will not only elevate their gymnastics but also inspire them to dream bigger and work harder in every area of life.” Over the past four years, Becca’s Place gymnasts have raised more than $65,000 for local non-profit organizations through this annual camp initiative.