Not only is she spring-loaded, the granddaughter of San Juan Island’s Norm and Teresa DeGraff is also a national champ.

Twelve-year-old Ariana Deacon finished first in the double-mini trampoline event to claim a gold medal at the USA Level 5-7 Tumbling & Trampoline National Gymnastics Competition, June 11-15, in Spokane.

Out of a possible 60 points, Ariana scored 58.7 points to best a field of 33 gymanists competing in the Level 7, 13-14 age bracket. She also placed third in the tumbling event.

Ariana is the daughter of Jennifer DeGraff and Chris Deacon, of Burnt Ranch, Calif. And, she’s not the only member of the family who excels in gymnastics. Her older sister, Ashana, 14, brought home a sliver medal by placing second in the Level 5 double-mini trampoline competition, in the 15-16 age bracket.

The five-day National Gymnastics Competition featured roughly 1,000 athletes, ages 5-33, competing in four separate divisions; levels 5-7, Youth Elite, Jr. Elite and Sr. Elite. The winner of the Sr. Elite competition went on to join the USA Olympic Gymnastics Team.

— Scott Rasmussen