MONROE - Eighteen Green County YMCA Gem gymnasts will get the red carpet treatment as they head to Milwaukee on Friday for the YMCA National Gymnastics Championships.
The Gems had all 20 gymnasts qualify for nationals, but 18 are making the trip on Friday to the Frontier Airlines Center for the championships June 29-July 2. There will be an opening ceremony similar to the Olympics, and the gymnast will march in by state. There will be 1,600 gymnasts from 28 states and 98 YMCAs. The top eight finishers in each event will medal.
"I'm hoping the kids come out and perform as well as they did at state," said Dawn Lederman, Green County YMCA gymnastics program director. "It's a much bigger level."
Each of the 18 Green County YMCA gymnasts will compete on the vault, uneven bars, beam and floor. Each gymnast had to reach a qualifying all-around score, which varies depending on the level of the gymnast.
"I think they all have the ability to medal," Lederman said. "It's just whether they can hit their routines on that day. It depends on who can handle the pressure on that day."
Baylie Engels, 13, Monroe, is a Level 4 gymnast, looking to make a lasting impression at the championships. Engels won a state title on the beam and was the state runner-up on the bars this year. She's looking forward to her first national championship meet.
"I'm hoping to do well on the beam since I won a state championship," Engels said. "I just go through the routine in my head and take a deep breath. You have to stay focused and tight. I block everything else out so I don't mess up. It will be really exciting."
Josie Eberle, a Level 7 gymnast, is competing in a national championships for the second time. She won a national championship on the vault in 2008. She has high expectations this year.
"I want to go out, do my best and have fun," Eberle said. "I would like to place on the vault."
Eberle has been working to fine-tune her back hand spring on the beam.
"You have to be spot on and have confidence that you can make it," she said.
The Gems had all 20 gymnasts qualify for nationals, but 18 are making the trip on Friday to the Frontier Airlines Center for the championships June 29-July 2. There will be an opening ceremony similar to the Olympics, and the gymnast will march in by state. There will be 1,600 gymnasts from 28 states and 98 YMCAs. The top eight finishers in each event will medal.
"I'm hoping the kids come out and perform as well as they did at state," said Dawn Lederman, Green County YMCA gymnastics program director. "It's a much bigger level."
Each of the 18 Green County YMCA gymnasts will compete on the vault, uneven bars, beam and floor. Each gymnast had to reach a qualifying all-around score, which varies depending on the level of the gymnast.
"I think they all have the ability to medal," Lederman said. "It's just whether they can hit their routines on that day. It depends on who can handle the pressure on that day."
Baylie Engels, 13, Monroe, is a Level 4 gymnast, looking to make a lasting impression at the championships. Engels won a state title on the beam and was the state runner-up on the bars this year. She's looking forward to her first national championship meet.
"I'm hoping to do well on the beam since I won a state championship," Engels said. "I just go through the routine in my head and take a deep breath. You have to stay focused and tight. I block everything else out so I don't mess up. It will be really exciting."
Josie Eberle, a Level 7 gymnast, is competing in a national championships for the second time. She won a national championship on the vault in 2008. She has high expectations this year.
"I want to go out, do my best and have fun," Eberle said. "I would like to place on the vault."
Eberle has been working to fine-tune her back hand spring on the beam.
"You have to be spot on and have confidence that you can make it," she said.
