Last week’s Major League All-Star Invitational/State Qualifier, hosted by Olympia Gymnastics Academy, was the final regular meet of the season for the Y gymnasts, who now move on to State Meet competitions.
“We had a great regular season,” said coach Jennifer Van Deinse. “In fact, we had at least two all around champions at every meet we competed in this year.”
Level 7 gymnasts Annie Gerstner and Kendra Benak again led the YMCA team with all around first place gold medals. Benak placed first on vault, beam, and floor to help her win the 13 & under all around division, and Gerstner placed second on beam and won vault, bars, and floor to cement her all around first place gold medal in the 12 & under division. The YMCA’s Francie Flores placed second all around behind Gerstner, the sixth meet this season the duo has finished 1-2.
With Benak’s fall on bars, however, it was up to Patricia Davis, in her first meet back from injury, to provide the necessary score to seal the team victory for the Level 7 gymnasts. Twin sister Amy Davis, also in her first meet back from injury, captured third place on bars for the Level 6 YMCA team.
Kayla Jackson led the Level 6 gymnasts with a characteristically steady performance, placing second all around behind a second place vault, a third place beam routine, and a fifth place showing on floor. Olivia Flores placed third on floor and tied for sixth place all around. Samantha Neddo placed fourth on floor, fifth on beam, and seventh on bars, while Rachel Ovalle captured fourth on bars and floor.
Each of the YMCA’s Level 5 competitors received blue ribbons for their all around scores. Individual event medals are not awarded at Level 5 state qualifiers. Level 5 gymnasts include Sierra Klein, Kayla Brady, Jade Turner, Annemarie Jenkins, and Darby Drake.
The Level 6 State Meet will be held May 1 – 2 in Traverse City, followed by the Level 5 State meet May 7 – 8 in Freeland and the Level 7 State Meet May 14 – 15 in Kalamazoo. For more information about Y gymnastics, visit www.gtbayymca.org, or call Y Gymnastics supervisor Betsy Van Deinse at 929-2869.
Level 5 (left to right): Annemarie Jenkins, Jade Turner, Darby Drake, Kayla Brady, Sierra Klein
Level 6 (left to right): Rachel Ovalle, Kayla Jackson, Samantha Neddo, Olivia Flores, Amy Davis
Level 7 (left to right): first row: Gina Van Deinse, Kendra Benak, Francie Flores, Jennifer Van Deinse, Kelly Van Deinse. Upper Row Annie Gerstner, Patricia Davis
