Makaylin Molinar, Julia Bellardo, and Bella Swarthout make up the MJB Acro 3 trio out of the Central Coast Gymnastics Sports Center in San Luis Obispo.
"They're like watching a dream come to life," head coach Rion Page said. "It's like reaching for your goals and seeing them play out right in front of your eyes. It's amazing."
14-year-olds Bella and Julia are joined by 10-year-old Makaylin. Together, this tremendous trio has created a bond much stronger than just being teammates.
"When I first got placed with them last year, I was super thrilled because I love both of them," Bella said. "It's just been one heck of a journey we've had. It's just been a lot of fun."
"I like my partners, and I like flipping and tumbling," Makaylin added.
The trio performs two high-profile routines, dynamic and balance. Both were put together by Page.
"He's a really good coach and really good with choreography," Julia said of her head coach. "He choreographed our balance routine and everyone loves it. And all of our skills, he always gives us corrections to make them better and tighter."
"He's really close to us as well, and he's a really good coach," Bella added. "He knows what he's doing, and he knows what the judges are looking for. He creates amazing routines for us to perform."
While Page is the mastermind, he knows first-hand what it takes to make an outstanding routine, outstanding athletes.
"This trio is definitely exemplary in what they can do. They are one of the standout groups in the region and the nation, which is absolutely amazing," Page said. "Everyone falls in love with their routines, their attitudes, and their skills."
High-flying flips, pristine tumbling, precise footwork, and laser focus, this trio is fun to watch.
"We're stacking people on top of each other, and we're doing triple and double back-flips," Bella explained.
"I have a lot of fun because I like flipping and stuff. I'm not afraid of heights," Makaylin added.
"They are very clean, they are very crisp, they are a crowd-favorite in what they do," Page said.
The girls have all the confidence in the world, literally. They are about to embark on an international journey to Germany for the 2019 Zwinger Acro Cup. They're the only group from the United States in the competition.
"It's a lot of fun because you get to travel and see new places," Julia said. "As long as you listen to the music, you'll do well."
"Absolutely amazing because they're my first group to go internationally," Page added. "We're very excited to go, and hopefully we do well when we're there."
With plenty of expectation heading into Germany, MJB Acro 3's ultimate goal is to make it on the USA national team so they can compete in the 2020 Acrobatic World Championships in May.
