WOODINVILLE, Wash. — The state of Washington is rising up the ranks as one of the top producers of elite gymnasts.
Ascend Gymnastics in Auburn is home to 2x world champion Shilese Jones, national champ Mackenzie Estep and several other national medalist.
Pacific Reign Gymnastics in Woodinville has also established themselves as one of the country's top elite training programs. In just four years since its opening, the program has over 1,000 athletes training at their facility.
From toddlers to teens, the place is packed with talent on the beams and bars. They also have their own version of the "Fab Five."
Simone Rose from Sammamish, Issaquah High's Olivia Choi, Jayla Hang from Kirkland, Bellevue's Simone Seed and North Creek's Elisabeth Antone are rising up the ranks in gymnastics.
"They push me a lot, they support me as well and I really love them," says Elisabeth Antone.
Together, they've won numerous gold medals and championships all over the globe and together the five train between five and six days a week, for five hours a day
"Oh my gosh, a lot of hours definitely in the gym, definitely a lot of conditioning to make sure your body can handle the amount of impact that you're taking, especially hard landings takes a lot of leg exercises and conditioning to make sure you're strong enough to not also get injured," said Jayla Hang.
"We're all kind of going the same route in a way so we know what to expect and how to push each other and help each other all succeed," said Simone Rose.
Rose is beaming with pride this year. She won a gold medal in Germany and a gold on the uneven bars in Italy. In 2024, she finished 10th the U.S. Olympic trials.
"Yes, it definitely motivated me to like really realize that I am meant to be here and that I pushed myself really hard and I should be proud of myself and know that I can be there," said Rose. The future Florida Gator started gymnastics in a mommy-and-me class. Now she's a legit contender to compete for a spot on the '28 U.S. Olympic team.
"It would mean so much to me. I think this is every young gymnast's goal is to always make the Olympics, and for me like I never really thought it'd truly come true. I just took everything day by day and everything has been all these opportunities have come my way and if I could make an Olympic team, it'd just be really exciting and I'd be so proud of myself," said Rose.
Jayla Hang, 17, is also hopeful to make the Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
"That's definitely the main goal, but I think I'm more of a set smaller goal to reach the end goal, so I don't think about the Olympics too much all the time, but that's definitely in the back of my mind," said Hang.
Hang is a World Cup floor champion, a Winter Cup all-around silver medalist and the 2024 Pacific Rim Champion. "That experience was so crazy, especially going to another country and representing USA it's a big privilege," said Hang.
Olivia Choi, who's committed to the University of Washington, is the national champ on the beam. "I think it takes a lot of hard work and dedication because not every day is going to be the easiest or the most fun, but coming in every day and putting in the effort even when you don't feel your best," said Choi.
Rounding out the Fab Five are a couple freshmen. Elisabeth Antone, a junior national champ for the Philippines, and Simone Seed, a British junior national champ.
As individuals they all shine, but it's here where they all push each other to be better.
"They're all really supportive and like we all cheer for each other and like bring that energy up so it's like when the energy is good like it helps us all do better," said Simone Seed.
Former Stanford gymnast and Pacific Reign team director Cale Robinson also helps them get better. "The way he pushes us and not only does he think about the sport but he helps us with our mental game," said Rose.
In three years, they may be representing three different countries on the world's biggest sports stage, but they'll also be repping the Pacific Northwest — it's where they got their start and learned to fly.
Hang just won the all-around gold this week at the Pan Am Championships and got a 55.3, the highest elite score this year in America. Atone just a won a bronze in the All-Around this week at the Junior Asian Championships.