Green County Gems YMCA State Qualifiers
Level 3
Kira Phillips
Maggie Curtis
Jasmin Corning
Jensen Christensen
Maggie Setterstrom
Ali Swenson
Level 4
Heather Burkhalter
Rhianna Teubert
Anya Teasdale
Meredith Hose
Brooke Isely
Makayla Phillips
Madeline Kuckuk
Lindsay Egger
Alicia Kuester
Miranda Klitzman
Level 5
Casey Rielly
Lexus Trickel
Jordan Hirsbrunner
Level 7
Josie Eberle
Tre Voegeli
Jenny Knox
Level 8
Maria Eberle
MONROE - Twenty-three gymnasts on the Green County Gems gymnastics team are gearing up for the state meet this weekend.
All 25 gymnasts on the Green County Gems qualified for state, but 23 are going to the state meet April 2-3 in Waukesha.
"It makes everyone feel like their hard work has paid off," said Dawn Lederman, Green County YMCA gymnastics program director. "We have several gymnasts who have a chance to be state champions."
Each gymnast had to qualify by reaching an all-around qualifying score, which varies depending on the level of the gymnast. The gymnasts will compete on the uneven bars, beam, floor and vault. The gymnasts have focused on improving skills over the last two weeks.
"Each of the individuals has something to improve on," Lederman said. "We are trying to key in on those skills to get them better. We have been doing a lot of routines."
Lederman said some of the gymnasts can handle the pressure on each apparatus and others struggle with that at a big meet.
Lederman said at times she struggles with that as a coach because she has seen them perform routines many times in practice.
Jenny Knox, a Level 7 gymnast, who is preparing for her last state meet, also serves as an assistant coach to younger gymnasts.
"She does a great job with the kids," Lederman said. "It will be hard to see her leave."
In addition to the gymnastics team, Lederman teaches a Level 1 and a Hot Shots gymnastics class. The Hot Shots class has 10 children in it trying to advance on to the team. Each gymnast starts at the Level 1 level before they can compete on the team. The Level 1 level group focuses on strength, agility and flexibility with the early stages of gymnastics skills. Level 1 gymnasts are required to do a pull-up, push-ups, sit-ups, a forward roll, back roll, cartwheels and a bridge. They are drilled on jumping rope, jumping on mats and using an agility ladder.
"It's great exercise for them," Lederman said.
Once the state meet is over, gymnasts will be working on a series of skills to try to advance to the next level.
"Gymnastics is a tough sport if you are not in the gym," Lederman said. "It's hard to maintain your skills and learn new ones. They have to be strong physically and mentally to do some of their skills."
All 25 gymnasts on the Green County Gems qualified for state, but 23 are going to the state meet April 2-3 in Waukesha.
"It makes everyone feel like their hard work has paid off," said Dawn Lederman, Green County YMCA gymnastics program director. "We have several gymnasts who have a chance to be state champions."
Each gymnast had to qualify by reaching an all-around qualifying score, which varies depending on the level of the gymnast. The gymnasts will compete on the uneven bars, beam, floor and vault. The gymnasts have focused on improving skills over the last two weeks.
"Each of the individuals has something to improve on," Lederman said. "We are trying to key in on those skills to get them better. We have been doing a lot of routines."
Lederman said some of the gymnasts can handle the pressure on each apparatus and others struggle with that at a big meet.
Lederman said at times she struggles with that as a coach because she has seen them perform routines many times in practice.
Jenny Knox, a Level 7 gymnast, who is preparing for her last state meet, also serves as an assistant coach to younger gymnasts.
"She does a great job with the kids," Lederman said. "It will be hard to see her leave."
In addition to the gymnastics team, Lederman teaches a Level 1 and a Hot Shots gymnastics class. The Hot Shots class has 10 children in it trying to advance on to the team. Each gymnast starts at the Level 1 level before they can compete on the team. The Level 1 level group focuses on strength, agility and flexibility with the early stages of gymnastics skills. Level 1 gymnasts are required to do a pull-up, push-ups, sit-ups, a forward roll, back roll, cartwheels and a bridge. They are drilled on jumping rope, jumping on mats and using an agility ladder.
"It's great exercise for them," Lederman said.
Once the state meet is over, gymnasts will be working on a series of skills to try to advance to the next level.
"Gymnastics is a tough sport if you are not in the gym," Lederman said. "It's hard to maintain your skills and learn new ones. They have to be strong physically and mentally to do some of their skills."
