MONROE - The Green County Gems gymnastics team did a lot of jumping, spinning and smiling during their season, but of all the competitions, nothing was likely as exciting as when coach Dawn Lederman announced to her youthful competitors that in 2019 the team would be hosting the YMCA National Championships.
Along with Stateline YMCA from Beloit, Green County will be the main host of the event, which will take place June 19-22 at Woodside Sports Dome in Wisconsin Dells.
"It is an incredible honor to be selected," Green County YMCA Executive Director Trent Henning said. "It speaks volumes to the level of support, dedication and commitment by our parents, volunteers, coaches and most importantly, Dawn Lederman."
Wisconsin Dells was chosen for 2019 based on hotel space. While the number of competitors varies each year from across the nation, this year the championships in Toledo, Ohio, expect to see about 2,300 athletes compete. Monroe is sending 21 to Toledo this year, although all 71 team members qualified.
"It can be expensive for families to go to nationals, and not everyone has the time or the money to make the trip," Lederman said. "With it being hosted by us just a few hours away, we're hoping a lot of kids sign up and even just make a day trip if they have to."
Lederman was approached by a coach out of Sheboygan just over a year ago about putting in a bid to host. In 2016, Green County hosted the Wisconsin YMCA state meet at Monroe High School.
"I had never thought about it," Lederman said of putting in a bid for nationals. "I figured, what have I got to lose?"
She worked on the bid throughout the summer and after various tours and meetings became a finalist along with Tacoma, Washington, which has previously hosted multiple times.
"It's an honor to be selected," Lederman said. "And our parent group is wonderful. I wouldn't have put in a bid without them. We hosted three meets this year, and they were there to help set up, they ran the raffle, concessions - just really big supporters."
Despite the competition being in Wisconsin Dells, the event will be run by Monroe volunteers.
"When we had the state meet, many of our alumni came back to volunteer. People in the community, friends of mine who know next to nothing about gymnastics - they wanted to help, and that is awesome," Lederman said.
About 500 volunteers will be needed for the national meet.
"Hosting an event of this magnitude is not possible without support and volunteers," Henning said. "There's an expected 2,500-3,000 gymnasts and their families from across the country coming."
Woodside Sports Dome and Complex, the venue for the championships, is located just north of Wisconsin Dells near Chula Vista. Lederman expects group rates to be formalized. The local YMCA itself will also get a financial boost to help with budget costs.
"We expect to bring in $100,000 for our YMCA and our gymnastics program," Henning said.
Opening ceremonies will include the Tommy Bartlett Ski Sky Stage Show. A special guest speaker will be announced at a later date when finalized. This year's speaker in Toledo is Olympic gold medalist Nastia Liukin.
With the success of the United States women's team and the state meet in 2016, Lederman said her program has seen a rise in gymnasts in recent years.
"Numbers do fluctuate, but we are hoping to maintain 70 (participants)," Lederman said. "When we hosted state last time, it was a big boost to our program."
Along with Stateline YMCA from Beloit, Green County will be the main host of the event, which will take place June 19-22 at Woodside Sports Dome in Wisconsin Dells.
"It is an incredible honor to be selected," Green County YMCA Executive Director Trent Henning said. "It speaks volumes to the level of support, dedication and commitment by our parents, volunteers, coaches and most importantly, Dawn Lederman."
Wisconsin Dells was chosen for 2019 based on hotel space. While the number of competitors varies each year from across the nation, this year the championships in Toledo, Ohio, expect to see about 2,300 athletes compete. Monroe is sending 21 to Toledo this year, although all 71 team members qualified.
"It can be expensive for families to go to nationals, and not everyone has the time or the money to make the trip," Lederman said. "With it being hosted by us just a few hours away, we're hoping a lot of kids sign up and even just make a day trip if they have to."
Lederman was approached by a coach out of Sheboygan just over a year ago about putting in a bid to host. In 2016, Green County hosted the Wisconsin YMCA state meet at Monroe High School.
"I had never thought about it," Lederman said of putting in a bid for nationals. "I figured, what have I got to lose?"
She worked on the bid throughout the summer and after various tours and meetings became a finalist along with Tacoma, Washington, which has previously hosted multiple times.
"It's an honor to be selected," Lederman said. "And our parent group is wonderful. I wouldn't have put in a bid without them. We hosted three meets this year, and they were there to help set up, they ran the raffle, concessions - just really big supporters."
Despite the competition being in Wisconsin Dells, the event will be run by Monroe volunteers.
"When we had the state meet, many of our alumni came back to volunteer. People in the community, friends of mine who know next to nothing about gymnastics - they wanted to help, and that is awesome," Lederman said.
About 500 volunteers will be needed for the national meet.
"Hosting an event of this magnitude is not possible without support and volunteers," Henning said. "There's an expected 2,500-3,000 gymnasts and their families from across the country coming."
Woodside Sports Dome and Complex, the venue for the championships, is located just north of Wisconsin Dells near Chula Vista. Lederman expects group rates to be formalized. The local YMCA itself will also get a financial boost to help with budget costs.
"We expect to bring in $100,000 for our YMCA and our gymnastics program," Henning said.
Opening ceremonies will include the Tommy Bartlett Ski Sky Stage Show. A special guest speaker will be announced at a later date when finalized. This year's speaker in Toledo is Olympic gold medalist Nastia Liukin.
With the success of the United States women's team and the state meet in 2016, Lederman said her program has seen a rise in gymnasts in recent years.
"Numbers do fluctuate, but we are hoping to maintain 70 (participants)," Lederman said. "When we hosted state last time, it was a big boost to our program."
