Of the 63,000 female competitive gymnasts registered with USA Gymnastics, approximately 1800 are Jr. Olympic Level 10 athletes, the highest of the Jr. Olympic development program. Many of the Junior gymnasts (10-14 yrs.) who qualify to J. O. Nationals eventually advance to the Elite level, attempting to qualify to the US National Team and to represent the US in international competitions. Some of the previous Jr. Olympic National competitors who went on to successful Elite careers as Olympic Games competitors: Tracee Talavera (1980 1984), Phoebe Mills Brandy Johnson (1988), Wendy Bruce (1992), Amanda Borden (1996) and Tasha Schwikert (2000). The Level 10 gymnasts compete in State Championships in March and must qualify by score to the Regional Championships held in April. Each of the eight regions in the US qualify seven gymnasts in each of the eight age divisions for a total of 448 competitors at the Jr. Olympic National Championships. Ages range from 10 yrs. to college age (and sometimes older).