MONROE - March Madness will arrive a little early in Monroe and it has nothing to do with basketball.
The Green County Gems will host the Wisconsin YMCA state gymnastics meet Saturday and Sunday at Monroe High School. There will be about 1,000 gymnasts from 17 YMCA gymnastics programs at the high school for the state meet competing on the uneven bars, vault, balance beam and floor. It's the pinnacle of the season for the Gems, who range in age from 5 to 17. Last year, the Gems won state team championships in Levels 1, 2 and 3.
"I feel kind of lucky because if we win we are representing our town," said Jada Burkhalter, 11, a first-year gymnast for the Gems.
The last time Monroe hosted the state gymnastics meet was in 2006. This will mark the first time that the Green County YMCA will be able to host every level of the state meet the same weekend.
The Gems opted not to have a home meet this year so they could devote more time to gearing up for state.
"We decided to focus on the state meet," Green County YMCA gymnastics coach and program director Dawn Lederman said. "This will give the girls an opportunity to showcase their skills. We have been planning since last summer. We are in crunch time now."
There are 55 Green County Gems who will participate in the state meet. It's the largest team Lederman has fielded for state.
"We had three state championship teams last year," Lederman said. "It's been a successful program. It's growing in popularity. I think because our team was so competitive and good last year it made others want to join."
The Gems Level 2 team is 6-0 entering state and looking to repeat as champion.
Makayla Eddy, 9, of Argyle is a Level 2 gymnast. Eddy said her favorite event is the uneven bars. She's hoping to repeat as a state champion on the uneven bars.
"I love swinging on the bars," she said. "I'm excited. My goal is to get first place."
Burkhalter said the best part of gymnastics is learning new skills and meeting new people.
Burkhalter said her goal is to have the Level 2 Gems win a state championship.
Fine-tuning a back tuck on the floor routine is the biggest challenge for Burkhalter.
"It's new and I haven't done it before," she said. "I haven't taught myself yet. The toughest part is doing new skills you have never done before."
Last year, Raevynn Jackson, Kaylyn Albert, Morgan Schneeberger, Karis Paulson and Kaylea Paulson each won individual state titles in the all-around competition.
Two semi loads of gymnastic equipment are expected to arrive by Friday. Lederman has enlisted the help of several Monroe High School football players to help with unloading the equipment. The equipment is being rented for the state meet.
"It's all new, up-to-date and meets specifications," she said.
The Monroe Performing Arts Center will be transformed into an awards area on Sunday with Olympic rings and gold signs to coincide with the theme, "Going for the Gold."
"We are playing off the theme of gold representing cheese," Lederman said. "Monroe is known for cheese."
The Gems will be selling flowers, programs, T-shirts and have a photo booth available. There will be a raffle, and a concession stand will be provided by the Angels Among Us event that promotes suicide awareness.
"The advantage of having it here is people can come out and watch competitive gymnastics," Lederman said.
The Green County Gems will host the Wisconsin YMCA state gymnastics meet Saturday and Sunday at Monroe High School. There will be about 1,000 gymnasts from 17 YMCA gymnastics programs at the high school for the state meet competing on the uneven bars, vault, balance beam and floor. It's the pinnacle of the season for the Gems, who range in age from 5 to 17. Last year, the Gems won state team championships in Levels 1, 2 and 3.
"I feel kind of lucky because if we win we are representing our town," said Jada Burkhalter, 11, a first-year gymnast for the Gems.
The last time Monroe hosted the state gymnastics meet was in 2006. This will mark the first time that the Green County YMCA will be able to host every level of the state meet the same weekend.
The Gems opted not to have a home meet this year so they could devote more time to gearing up for state.
"We decided to focus on the state meet," Green County YMCA gymnastics coach and program director Dawn Lederman said. "This will give the girls an opportunity to showcase their skills. We have been planning since last summer. We are in crunch time now."
There are 55 Green County Gems who will participate in the state meet. It's the largest team Lederman has fielded for state.
"We had three state championship teams last year," Lederman said. "It's been a successful program. It's growing in popularity. I think because our team was so competitive and good last year it made others want to join."
The Gems Level 2 team is 6-0 entering state and looking to repeat as champion.
Makayla Eddy, 9, of Argyle is a Level 2 gymnast. Eddy said her favorite event is the uneven bars. She's hoping to repeat as a state champion on the uneven bars.
"I love swinging on the bars," she said. "I'm excited. My goal is to get first place."
Burkhalter said the best part of gymnastics is learning new skills and meeting new people.
Burkhalter said her goal is to have the Level 2 Gems win a state championship.
Fine-tuning a back tuck on the floor routine is the biggest challenge for Burkhalter.
"It's new and I haven't done it before," she said. "I haven't taught myself yet. The toughest part is doing new skills you have never done before."
Last year, Raevynn Jackson, Kaylyn Albert, Morgan Schneeberger, Karis Paulson and Kaylea Paulson each won individual state titles in the all-around competition.
Two semi loads of gymnastic equipment are expected to arrive by Friday. Lederman has enlisted the help of several Monroe High School football players to help with unloading the equipment. The equipment is being rented for the state meet.
"It's all new, up-to-date and meets specifications," she said.
The Monroe Performing Arts Center will be transformed into an awards area on Sunday with Olympic rings and gold signs to coincide with the theme, "Going for the Gold."
"We are playing off the theme of gold representing cheese," Lederman said. "Monroe is known for cheese."
The Gems will be selling flowers, programs, T-shirts and have a photo booth available. There will be a raffle, and a concession stand will be provided by the Angels Among Us event that promotes suicide awareness.
"The advantage of having it here is people can come out and watch competitive gymnastics," Lederman said.
