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History

Aerial Port Gymnastics Center began in the Summer of 1977 and this season marks its 30th Anniversary.  Coached and Directed by Gary Rafaloski, Aerial Port has consistently provided a quality class and team program.
 
Aerial Port's history includes many former individual and state team champions as well as regional and national competitors, including international competitor, Mary Lou Retton.  The club takes pride in producing collegiate scholarship gymnasts such as All American Shari Retton (WVU), Terra Smith (WVU), Jenny Honaker (Towson State), and Addie Collins (Temple).  Other collegiate gymnasts and scholarship athletes include: Tiffany Gonzalez (WVU), Radine Powley (WVU), and Wendy Crumbaker (WVU).  Aerial Port's training and conditioning program has also benefitted other athletes including collegiate cheerleaders including All-American Claudine Oliverio (WVU), Nikki Costello (Kentucky), and Mandy Marks (Rutgers).  Another Aerial Port alumnus, Susan Petry was a participant on the Florida State Women's Diving Team.
 
Aerial Port is proud to have produced and be the home of 1984 All Around Olympic Champion Mary Lou Retton.  West Virginia's only 2nd Elite Gymnast, Mary Lou and other Team Members' desire, discipline, and dedication were the keys to their success.  The pursuit of excellence is a worthy goal.
 
In 1982, Aerial Port was recognized and selected by the McDonald's Corporation as one of only three gymnastic schools in the country to sponsor its "Head Over Heels" Grass Roots Program to help benefit Olympic athletes.
 
In 2007, the next chapter of Aerial Port has begun, as the gymnastics center relocated from its original location on Fairmont Avenue to its new facility on Minor Avenue.
 
The USA Gymnastics' Region VII bestowed the honor of the 2007 West Virginia Compulsory Club of the Year to Aerial Port's Mountain Magic Gymnastics Team.  Region VII Gymnastics is a diverse organization with over 1,200 professional members and 7,000 athlete members throughout Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia ranging from small recreational gymnastic programs to those that produce Olympic athletes.