Vaulting Valentines Gymnastics Meet
Oskaloosa YMCA
Oskaloosa, Iowa – The YMCA Aerials will be hosting their annual Vaulting Valentines meet on Saturday, February 18th, at their gym in University Park (2209 Park). Competition sessions will begin at 8 am and the public is encouraged to attend. Admission is free for kids 12 & under, $5 for ages 13+, and a concession stand will be available. Teams from Urbandale, Ankeny, Waterloo, Sioux Center, Waukee, and Denver, IA will be coming for the event.
The Aerials have 24 girls from their Junior Olympic and Xcel teams competing in the meet and this will be the first meet of the season for the Xcel Team. “The girls have been perfecting their skills and routines since November and things are coming together nicely. We had a ‘Dress Rehearsal’ competition last weekend to help the gymnasts prepare and they did great! We are really looking forward to watching all of our girls shine on Saturday,” said gymnastics director, Meghan Slay. “Then on Saturday, February 25th, we will be having our Winter Term Rec Exhibition. This is something new we’re doing this year to allow the kids in our recreational program the chance to show off their stuff to friends and family. Admission for this event is free.”
The spring session of recreational gymnastics starts on March 5 and registration is open. For details and more information on YMCA gymnastics, please visit www.mahaskaymca.org, call the YMCA at 641-673-8411, or send an email to gymnastics@mahaskaymca.org.
“Premier Bowl” Gymnastics Meet Results
The YMCA Aerials Level 7 optional gymnasts competed in their second meet on Saturday, February 4th, in Omaha, NE.
Jensen DeJong (age 10) placed 5th on the Vault with a score of 9.175, 13th on bars with a 6.45 (9.2 start value, which is a 0.3 improvement from the Chow’s meet), beam with an 8.3, and All-Around with a 32.425, and 12th on the floor with an 8.5.
Sydney Sarver (age 11), placed 14th on vault with an 8.65, 12th on bars with a 7.7, 10th on beam with an 8.4, 15th on floor with an 8.2, and 11th in the All-Around with a 32.95.
The teams other member, gymnast Ruby Johnson (age 12), was unable to compete at the meet due to a shoulder injury.
One of the differences between the Optional and the Compulsory levels is that Optional gymnasts make up their own routines and have to complete certain difficulty requirements in order to achieve a 10.0 Start Value. Compulsory gymnasts all perform the same routines (according to their Level) and all routines start at a 10.0. The Aerials Level 7 team will be competing in the last session of the Vaulting Valentines meet this Saturday at 5:00pm.
