MONROE — The Green County YMCA Gems Gymnastics team is sending 67 gymnasts to next weekend’s state meet in La Crosse. 

“We’re excited for all of them,” coach Dawn Lederman said.

Of the 75 members on the team, 73 qualified.

“A couple have spring break or other trips scheduled and won’t be able to attend,” Lederman said.

The team has gymnasts in seven competitive levels, with Level 1 being the youngest and most inexperienced. Level 1 has 21 competitors, Level 2 is at 13, Level 3 nine, Level 4 has 10, Level 6 five, Xcel Gold three and Xcel Silver four.

Lederman said there are 17 YMCA teams around the state, with about 1,100 total competitors. She estimates around 1,000 of those competitors will descend upon La Crosse Central High School for the two-day state meet.

“We have been successful this year at the individual and team levels. I think we have a really good shot at placing well at state,” Lederman said.

The Level 1s are undefeated on the season. Level 2s have been at the top as well, and Levels 3 and 4 could finish in the Top-3 at state, according to Lederman. “Level 6, that’s a harder level,” she said, adding that predicting an outcome is much harder than the lower levels. 

After the state meet, teams generally begin preparing for the next season — learning the new skills needed to advance from one level to the next. This year is slightly different due to the national meet taking place in Wisconsin Dells June 19-23. Monroe and Beloit’s Stateline team are hosting the massive national tournament and expect to send the vast majority of their rosters to the competition.

“It is going to be hard. Usually we begin practicing skills for next year, but now we will be doing that and continuing to work on this year’s level work,” Lederman said.

Qualifications for nationals are the same as the state requirements, which means 73 Gems gymnasts will be eligible to attend.