Two-time Olympian Alexi Shostak snagged the Senior Men's Trampoline National Title at the USA Gymnastics National Championships in Tulsa, Oklahoma, this past June. What's wild is he wasn't even expecting to win! This isn't some fluke, though. It marks his second national title, and get this, it's his second time winning it in Tulsa. The road to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics is officially heating up, and this unexpected win just made things even more interesting for Shostak and his training partner, Sarah Webster.
The Grind for Gold is Real For Shostak and Webster
The USA Gymnastics National Championships, running June 22-27, saw some seriously high-flying action. On the women’s side, Sarah Webster battled her way to a Women’s Trampoline bronze medal. She said she just wanted to finish a routine she was proud of, and even though it wasn’t her absolute best, she was happy to complete it. Webster called it a lot of fun because it was their last domestic competition of the season. For Shostak, his "rough week" of training clearly paid off in a big way. He told reporters he honestly wasn’t expecting to win, quipping he might need to buy a house in Tulsa after his second national title there. That kind of unexpected clutch performance? That’s what legends are made of.The Secret Sauce From Trampoline and Tumbling Express
These two, Shostak and Webster, literally fell in love with the sport, making Lafayette their home base to chase their dreams. They train and coach under the legendary Dmitri Poliaroush, owner of Trampoline and Tumbling Express. This guy is a world-renowned coach who has been churning out trampoline stars since 1993, boasting 14 World champions and six Olympians. Think about that consistency! Shostak himself credits Coach Dmitri for pushing him exactly how he needed it, saying they’ve had representation in the Olympics every single time since 2000. It's clear why Shostak and Webster are so thankful for his guidance as they try to keep that incredible legacy alive. The program also saw Nicole Ahsinger make the U.S. National Team and Graham Foreman join the U.S. Junior National Team, showing the depth of talent Poliaroush cultivates.What’s Next For The Road to LA28?
Webster summed up why they do it, talking about "just being able to jump and feeling free in the air and flipping around." Her main goal is crystal clear: qualify and compete at the 2028 Olympics. But she knows there are huge competitions standing between now and then. We're talking World Championships, World Cups, these are stepping stones that hold massive importance. These athletes are putting their city on the global trampoline gymnastic map, and we can’t wait to see them soar on their journey to LA28.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.