SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ. — Big things can come in small packages.

Austyn Marsala Hartlieb is 11 years of age and packs just 51 pounds on her 4-6 frame. The diminutive dynamo, however, performs at a huge level when it comes to gymnastics.

So much so, Hartlieb, with deep Ohio Valley roots, has a resume already stuffed with championships.

The most recent title came earlier this month in a prestigious and talent-laden tournament in California.

Hartlieb is the daughter of Mark and Angela Hartlieb. Mark is a Bellaire native and former baseball standout at St. John Central, owning the school record for career pitching wins while also batting a sizzling .543 as a senior. He is currently the director of Information Technology at Global Tranz Co., headquartered in Scottsdale.

Angela, meanwhile, is a gymnastics teacher. She has proven an integral part of her daughter’s athletic development.

“Gymnastics are fun. It is all about having fun,” Austyn said when asked what she liked about her sport.

Austyn’s gymnastics career commenced at the tender age of 2 with trampoline classes. That spawned into tumbling and trampoline three years later.

“I was not her coach until she was 6 1/2 when she decided to try artistic gymnastics (vault, bars, beam & floor). Austyn competed in both tumbling & trampoline (T&T) and artistic for two years before deciding to focus only on artistic gymnastics,” Angela said.

She comes well-suited to expertly coach her daughter. Angela was a Class 2 gymnast then competed in prep gymnastics, track and cheerleading in high school. She was also a member of the Gamma Phi Circus while attending Illinois State University.

“Austyn is good on all four events, but the uneven bars is her event that she is known for. Floor is her favorite event because she loves to perform,” Angela said. “It is what made her want to switch to artistic gymnastics. She has the ninth highest bar score in the country for Level 6s.”

Austyn’s impressive performance in the recent Heart of a Champion Invitational in Pasadena, Ca. was doubly impressive. She was nursing an ankle injury while competing against clubs from all over the West Coast and the Midwest. Her injury limited her to just the bars and beam. She captured the championship in the former.

Austyn’s success is forged through a rigorous workout schedule. She trains five days a week, encompassing some 25 hours. In addition to her gymnastic routines, Austyn also hones her elite skills through ballet, Pilates and Crossfit.

“All the training is not really that bad. It gets easier as you go along,” Austyn said. “I realize you need to work hard to be successful.”

Austyn and her mom left Thursday afternoon for this weekend’s Presidential Classic at Disney World. The fifth-grader also competes regularly in Las Vegas in addition to all over California.

The extensive training and travel present obvious time constraints when it comes to Austyn’s academic life. It is a taxing test the honors student takes in stride.

“I like all the travel. I am really looking forward to this weekend’s trip to Florida and Disney World.” Austyn said. “It’s really not that hard keeping my grades up. You just need to manage your time.”

In five meets this season, Austyn has won the bars competition in four. She has consistently placed in the top three on beam this year as well. Her ankle issue has sidelined her on the floor and vault events for most of this season.

Last year, she finished third in the all-around competition at both the state and regional tournaments.

Austyn didn’t hesitate when asked about future goals.

“I want to make the Olympics. I think that is a great goal,” she said.

Austyn is the granddaughter of Doug and Cynthia Hartlieb of Bellaire.

BUBBA’S BITS

JUNIOR ANTHONY Wallace is enjoying a sparkling season for the Marietta College hoop team. The former Linsly School standout is leading the 19-5 Pioneers with a 13.3 ppg. average.

MISSY TIBER has her North Alabama hoop squad enjoying a superb season. The former Bellaire High and West Liberty hoop standout has guided the Lions to 22 wins in 24 starts.

THE UNIVERSITY of Albany women’s hoop team is 21-5 this season, guided by former Weirton Madonna and West Liberty star Joanna Bernabei-McNamee. The Great Danes are tied with Maine for the top spot in the American East Conference with 10-3 marks.

NEW ENGLAND Patriot tight end Rob Gronkowski has a generous side to go with his big body. The pass-catching great recently donated $25,000 to The Barbara Bush Children?s Hospital at Maine Medical Center.

THE ADRIAN College (Mich.) women’s softball team kicks off its season a week from today on a swing through Florida. Adrian is coached by former St. John’s all-Ohioan and Bethany College great Ashley Marinacci.

DYLAN HARRISON continues to have a fine frosh hoop season for Ohio Valley University. The former Linsly star is averaging 11.5 points a game for the Fighting Scots. He has started 17 of 22 games.

TORONTO AND EDISON have named new head football coaches. The Red Knights tapped Harrison Central assistant Anthony Hayes while the Wildcats elevated offensive coordinator Shane O’Brien.