MONROE - Gymnasts will have security in numbers as the entire Green County YMCA Gems gymnastics team qualified for the state meet this weekend.
Twenty-one Gems will compete Saturday and Sunday at the Heart of the Valley YMCA in Appleton.
Each gymnast had to qualify by reaching an all-around qualifying score, which varies depending on the level of the gymnast.
"This is the first year we had all of our gymnasts qualify," said Dawn Lederman, Green County YMCA gymnastics program director. "It's a great accomplishment. They all have the potential of placing at the state meet."
This comes on the heels of a record 13 gymnasts qualifying last June for the YMCA National Gymnastics Championships in Sheboygan.
Gymnasts will compete on the uneven bars, balance beam, vault and floor.
"Little kids always forget how important it is to keep your feet pointed," Lederman said.
Any extra movement like arms and feet out of place can lead to point deductions. Being a gymnast is a full-time job.
Tre Voegeli, 12, said her goal as a level 5 gymnast is to finish in the top three in the all-around competition. Voegeli's favorite event is the floor.
"The other events are not as fun as the floor," Voegeli said. "It's what I'm better at."
Josie Eberle, 10, will compete in her fifth state meet. It's always her goal to compete at state.
Eberle said her goals are to not fall off the beam and take first in the all-around competition.
Chandra McGuire, who is making her fourth trip to state, said she's happy everybody qualified. McGuire is another level 6 gymnast who has big expectations.
McGuire said her goal is to finish in the top three at her level.
She said the key will be not taking a step before back walking off the beam.
The YMCA gymnastics program has levels 2-9. The Green County YMCA gymnastics program has gymnasts in levels 3-8. Certain skills and minimum score requirements are required before progressing to the next level.
With the gymnastics season running from November to April, practice has been a driving force in preparing for state. The gymnasts are versatile athletes and are multi-taskers on a big stage.
"Not only do they have to do gymnastics, they have to be able to tumble and dance," Lederman said. "It will be interesting to see who can handle the pressure."
Twenty-one Gems will compete Saturday and Sunday at the Heart of the Valley YMCA in Appleton.
Each gymnast had to qualify by reaching an all-around qualifying score, which varies depending on the level of the gymnast.
"This is the first year we had all of our gymnasts qualify," said Dawn Lederman, Green County YMCA gymnastics program director. "It's a great accomplishment. They all have the potential of placing at the state meet."
This comes on the heels of a record 13 gymnasts qualifying last June for the YMCA National Gymnastics Championships in Sheboygan.
Gymnasts will compete on the uneven bars, balance beam, vault and floor.
"Little kids always forget how important it is to keep your feet pointed," Lederman said.
Any extra movement like arms and feet out of place can lead to point deductions. Being a gymnast is a full-time job.
Tre Voegeli, 12, said her goal as a level 5 gymnast is to finish in the top three in the all-around competition. Voegeli's favorite event is the floor.
"The other events are not as fun as the floor," Voegeli said. "It's what I'm better at."
Josie Eberle, 10, will compete in her fifth state meet. It's always her goal to compete at state.
Eberle said her goals are to not fall off the beam and take first in the all-around competition.
Chandra McGuire, who is making her fourth trip to state, said she's happy everybody qualified. McGuire is another level 6 gymnast who has big expectations.
McGuire said her goal is to finish in the top three at her level.
She said the key will be not taking a step before back walking off the beam.
The YMCA gymnastics program has levels 2-9. The Green County YMCA gymnastics program has gymnasts in levels 3-8. Certain skills and minimum score requirements are required before progressing to the next level.
With the gymnastics season running from November to April, practice has been a driving force in preparing for state. The gymnasts are versatile athletes and are multi-taskers on a big stage.
"Not only do they have to do gymnastics, they have to be able to tumble and dance," Lederman said. "It will be interesting to see who can handle the pressure."
