MONROE - Kathryn Kundert, 7, is one of the first-year gymnasts on the Green County YMCA Gems gymnastics team looking to become a state champion.
Kundert and Hailey Thompson, 8, are two members of the Gems Level 1 team, which is unbeaten this year heading into the YMCA state gymnastics meet Saturday, March 15 and Sunday, March 16 at Green Bay West High School.
"I like the feeling of having chalk on my hands," Kundert said. "It's so smooth."
It's been a smooth ride for Kundert and the Level 1 gymnasts as they take their unbeaten mark into state. Kundert is looking forward to her favorite event - the uneven bars.
"I like to do flipping because it feels good when you are in the air," she said. "You get to feel good when you do your back hip circle and your dismounts."
There are 37 Gems' members making the trip to state, and there will be 17 teams and about 1,000 gymnasts in all in Green Bay for the state meet. Each gymnast had to achieve various scores based on their level. Each gymnast will compete at state on the uneven bars, floor, vault and balance beam.
Kundert said it would make her and her teammates very happy if they can win the state title.
"We have a lot of kids who can get high scores," Kundert said. "I think we will do pretty good."
Thompson, who is also a Level 1 gymnast, said her favorite event is the uneven bars.
"It's fun because you get to spin around," Thompson said. "I'm a little nervous. I just want to go and do my best."
Last year the Level 2 and Level 3 Green County Gems gymnastics teams each won state championships at the YMCA state meet in Sturgeon Bay. Dawn Lederman, the Green County Gems gymnastics coach, said the Level 1 Gems are the favorite to win the state championship.
"They may be young and naive enough not to get too nervous," Lederman said.
Jessy Ruckman won a state title on the bars (9.375) and the beam (9.25) last year and is looking to repeat this year. Emily Hazzard won a state championship in the all-around competition at Level 2 last year. Now she is looking to repeat her state title in the vault. Also in Level 2 last year, Breanna Giasson finished first on the vault (9.275).
Ripplee Dunlavey was a state champion on the floor (9.425) and on the beam (9.15) last year. Faith Koester won a Level 4 state championship in the all-around (37.225) and was the champion on the vault (9.375) last year. Maggie Setterstrom won the floor (9.25) and Merideth Hose won the beam (9.35) in the Xcel optional level.
The top 30 percent in each age group and event win awards. The top 50 percent of teams at state also win awards.
USA Gymnastics change the routines for each level and event every eight years. Lederman started working with gymnasts in August to help them learn their routines for the season.
"We started working hard on the routines earlier than we ever have before," Lederman said.
Kundert and Hailey Thompson, 8, are two members of the Gems Level 1 team, which is unbeaten this year heading into the YMCA state gymnastics meet Saturday, March 15 and Sunday, March 16 at Green Bay West High School.
"I like the feeling of having chalk on my hands," Kundert said. "It's so smooth."
It's been a smooth ride for Kundert and the Level 1 gymnasts as they take their unbeaten mark into state. Kundert is looking forward to her favorite event - the uneven bars.
"I like to do flipping because it feels good when you are in the air," she said. "You get to feel good when you do your back hip circle and your dismounts."
There are 37 Gems' members making the trip to state, and there will be 17 teams and about 1,000 gymnasts in all in Green Bay for the state meet. Each gymnast had to achieve various scores based on their level. Each gymnast will compete at state on the uneven bars, floor, vault and balance beam.
Kundert said it would make her and her teammates very happy if they can win the state title.
"We have a lot of kids who can get high scores," Kundert said. "I think we will do pretty good."
Thompson, who is also a Level 1 gymnast, said her favorite event is the uneven bars.
"It's fun because you get to spin around," Thompson said. "I'm a little nervous. I just want to go and do my best."
Last year the Level 2 and Level 3 Green County Gems gymnastics teams each won state championships at the YMCA state meet in Sturgeon Bay. Dawn Lederman, the Green County Gems gymnastics coach, said the Level 1 Gems are the favorite to win the state championship.
"They may be young and naive enough not to get too nervous," Lederman said.
Jessy Ruckman won a state title on the bars (9.375) and the beam (9.25) last year and is looking to repeat this year. Emily Hazzard won a state championship in the all-around competition at Level 2 last year. Now she is looking to repeat her state title in the vault. Also in Level 2 last year, Breanna Giasson finished first on the vault (9.275).
Ripplee Dunlavey was a state champion on the floor (9.425) and on the beam (9.15) last year. Faith Koester won a Level 4 state championship in the all-around (37.225) and was the champion on the vault (9.375) last year. Maggie Setterstrom won the floor (9.25) and Merideth Hose won the beam (9.35) in the Xcel optional level.
The top 30 percent in each age group and event win awards. The top 50 percent of teams at state also win awards.
USA Gymnastics change the routines for each level and event every eight years. Lederman started working with gymnasts in August to help them learn their routines for the season.
"We started working hard on the routines earlier than we ever have before," Lederman said.
