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Pressure is something Angela Foster has learned to laugh at. It’s also something she’s thriving on.

Foster and Gymagic teammate Zskaira Williams recently came back from Kansas City, Mo. with national titles in their backpacks from the Trampoline and Tumbling Junior Olympic Championships.

“The first time I went to nationals I really wasn’t comfortable,” said Foster who will be an eighth grader at Howell this year. “I was really nervous, but from all the ones I’ve been to I’ve got used to it and I’m doing better.”

Foster won the level 10 trampoline title, adding to her collection of national titles. The championship is her fifth in her young career and has her looking forward to making the World Age Group Games which will be in Russia in two years.

To do that, she knows it will take focus and hard work in the Victoria gym.

“I just try to block everyone else out and think about what you need to do,” Foster said. “I don’t like to focus on everyone watching. I just want to do my routine. Without worrying about that it helps.”

To get Foster prepared, her coach, Cindy Alkek, occasionally stops the other gymnasts and turns all the focus on the 13-year-old.

“We have done a lot of preparatory work with her,” Alkek said. “She trains all the time. We make the whole gym stop and watch her to put her in a pressure situation. It’s hard to recreate that pressure but we try to. Controlling her adrenaline is something she is really good at now.”

William’s championship was her first. She is only 8, but took first in level 6 tumbling. She also placed sixth in level 7 trampoline and fifth in level 8 double mini.

For Williams, competing in gymnastics is an escape from the mundane times in life.

“I just don’t like staying at home and being bored,” Williams said. “It’s a lot of fun to come to here. I like doing the flips and stuff.”

Williams is entering the third grade at Carver Elementary in Edna and has the parental support to help her develop as a gymnast and person.

“I’m very proud of her,” said her mother Lucinda Williams. “I just want her to have fun and see how far she can go. I don’t know where the limit is for her, but I know I just want her to have fun.”

Other members of Gymagic also placing were: Melissa Clark, Maggie James, Robyn Johnston, Saige McLarty and Gabriela Ysassi.

Clark’s top finish at the championship was fourth in level 10 Double Mini, James fifth in level 10 double mini, Johnston 18th in level 8 double mini, McLarty 22nd in level 7 trampoline and Ysassi third in level 5 double mini.