Caroline Lichtman’s Athletic Prowess Has Landed Her an Invitation to the National Training Center In Houston
An innocent childhood activity might pay off huge for a San Marino 12-year-old when Caroline Lichtman heads to the National Gymnastics Training Center at the Karolyi Ranch in Houston this September. Caroline was personally invited to train at the exclusive camp by Valeri Liukin, the 1988 Olympic gymnast champion who later coached his daughter, Nastia, who was a 2008 Olympic champion. Liukin serves as elite athlete development coordinator along with Marta Karolyi, the women’s national team coordinator.
Caroline’s career began as a 6-year-old when her father, retired L.A. Superior Court Judge Peter Lichtman, thought gymnastics would be a good fit since she was always tumbling around the house. Caroline was enrolled at Club Champion Gymnastics in Pasadena, where Coach Oksana Suvalova placed her in an accelerated program.
In 2011, she competed in Level 4 and in the following year, competed in three levels in one season; Levels 5, 6, and 7.
Concurrently, she trained for the TOPs Program, an annual, nationwide program conducted by USA Gymnastics to identify young gymnasts who have the ability to excel in the sport. More than 3,100 gymnasts participate in state and regional testing, with more than 300 qualifying for national testing based on state and regional scores. Caroline was one of 20 in her age group to qualify for the TOPs National Team. As part of the TOPs National Team, she traveled to the Karolyi Ranch and trained there.
Caroline finished the most recent competition season competing in Level 9 (in gymnastics, the levels are from 3-10). From the state level, she qualified to compete at regionals and from regionals, she was one of seven gymnasts who qualified to compete at the Junior Olympics Western National Championships, where she was spotted by Liukin.
“I definitely love the challenges of learning new skills and I love my coaches, Oksana Suvalova and Ivan Bereznyakov,” said Caroline. “They have always given me the proper guidance, training and support.”
Caroline has been homeschooled since first grade because of her training schedule. She just became a Ticktocker with the National Charity League, San Marino Chapter Class of 2022 and is anxious to serve the community alongside her sister, Catherine Lichtman – a freshman at San Marino High School – and her homemaker mom, Liz.
Caroline also sits on the NCL Board and is very motivated with her new role. She is back in the gym training in hopes of making the United States Junior National team.
