Oskaloosa YMCA Aerials hosted own Vaulting Valentine’s Meet

Pictured above are the JO girls competing in the Silver Exel division and Level 7. From left to right, row 1, MaKenna Schaffner and Emma Dawson. Row 2, Ruby Johnson and Emily Schutz. Row 3, Collette Edwards and Kennady Klein. Row 4, Jensen DeJong and Claire Corbin. Row 5 is Sydney Sarver. (photo submitted)

Oskaloosa, Iowa – The Oskaloosa YMCA Aerials hosted their annual Vaulting Valentines gymnastics meet at their gym in University Park on Saturday, February 18th. The competition was for all Levels of Xcel gymnasts as well as JO Levels 7 & 8. A total of 7 teams and nearly 150 gymnasts from as far as Sioux Center traveled to compete this past weekend. This was the first meet of the season for the Aerials Xcel Team and their coaches were very happy with their performances.

The Xcel Program through USA Gymnastics is designed to offer a broad-based, affordable competitive experience outside the traditional Junior Olympic (JO) Program to attract and retain a diverse group of athletes. The program gives opportunities for:

• Class students to participate in organized gymnastics events
• Those who have competed in the USAG JO Program and have qualified to Level 7 or above but need a more basic introduction to optional competition
• Those who have competed in the JO Program at the compulsory level and would like to experience a basic optional program during their “off” season
• Those who have either “retired” from the JO Program or who do not wish to train the required hours to compete at the JO level
• Athletes in the beginner levels (2 & 3) who are just entering the competitive program

In Iowa, the Xcel Program is divided into the following levels using the JO routines as guidelines

• Level 2/3 = Rookie—achievement based awards only
• Level 3/4 = Bronze
• Level 5/6 = Silver
• Level 7/8 = Gold

Pictured above are from left to right, Emma Kelderman (Silver Exel), Mallory Vander Meyden (Bronze Exel, and Pyper Yahnke (Silver Exel). Not pictured but also participating were Natalie Clayberg and Emily Holterhaus (both Silver Exel). (submitted photo)

The YMCA Aerials JO Optional team competed in the meet as well. It was the third meet of the season the Level 7 gymnasts. Coach Meghan Slay said, “I was so proud of the girls on Saturday! They finally stepped it up a notch and competed up to the level I expect from them. Jensen DeJong hit her angles on her bar routine and got a 10.0 Start Value for the first time at a meet and Sydney Sarver finally put it all together at got all 9.0’s, upping her all around score by over 2 points. Ruby Johnson is still suffering from a shoulder injury, so she is unable to perform most of the elements in her routines, but she still got out there, did her best, and in spite of missing several special requirements, placed third on the beam. The girls have their next meet this Saturday, February 25, at IGN in Coralville. I’m really hoping to see some great things from the girls for the rest of the season.”

Next up for the Aerials Xcel Team is the “Leap Into Spring Invite” in Hiawatha on March 10th.

Name/Hometown Level/Age Vault Bars Beam Floor AA

Lydia VanVeldhuizen

Osky Rookie 2 6 9.350 8.000 8.700 9.100 35.150

Hailey Gunn

Osky Rookie 2 6 9.400 8.300 8.300 7.800 33.800

Ellison Ritzert

Pella Rookie 2 6 8.900 6.500 7.700 6.800 29.900

Faith DeRonde

Osky Rookie 3 8 9.350 9.200 9.400 8.950 36.900

Nobalee Galbraith Osky Rookie 3 7 9.450 8.900 9.300 8.850 36.500

Pictured above are the Level 2 and 3 Exel Rookies. From left to right, row 1: Nobalee Galbraith, Lydia VanVeldhuizen, Ellison Ritzert, Hailey Gunn, & Lilly McKay. Row 2: Nichole Gokey, Rylee Ebelsheiser, Willa Kelpe, Ella Roach, Faith DeRonde. (photo submitted)

Rylee Ebelsheiser

Osky Rookie 3 7 9.300 8.500 9.400 8.900 36.100

Nichole Gokey

Sigourney Rookie 3 10 9.250 8.900 8.800 9.000 35.950

Willa Kelpe

Pella Rookie 3 7 9.500 8.350 9.300 8.000 35.150

Lilly McKay

Osky Rookie 3 6 8.750 7.400 8.700 8.100 32.950

Ella Roach

Osky Rookie 3 8 8.900 6.500 8.300 7.300 31.000

Mallory Vander Meyden

Osky Bronze 10b 9.250 (2nd) 9.250 (4th) 8.900 (2nd) 8.800 (1st) 36.200 (1st)

MaKenna Schaffner

Osky Silver 7-9 8.100 (5th) 7.100 (5th) 7.500 (5th) 8.100 (5th) 30.800 (5th)

Emily Schutz

Osky Silver 7-9 9.000 (2nd) 8.650 (1st) 7.800 (3rd) 9.300 (1st) 34.750 (1st)

Collette Edwards

Osky Silver 10 9.200 (3rd) 9.200 (1st) 8.300 (1st) 9.350 (3rd) 36.100 (1st)

Emily Holterhaus

Pella Silver 10 9.400 (1st) 8.300 (5th) 7.900 (4th) 9.500 (1st) 35.100 (3rd)

Kennady Klein

Pella Silver 11b 9.600 (1st) 9.450 (1st) 9.200 (1st) 9.550 (1st) 37.800 (1st)

Natalie Clayberg

Pella Silver 11b 9.200 (2nd) 8.800 (4th) 8.450 (3rd) 9.350 (3rd) 35.800 (3rd)

Emma Kelderman

Osky Silver 11a 9.100 (4th) 9.100 (2nd) 7.700 (6th) 9.200 (1st) 35.100 (4th)

Claire Corbin

Pella Silver 11a 8.600 (7th) 8.200 (6th) 8.300 (5th) 8.750 (5th) 33.850 (6th)

Pyper Yahnke

Bloomfield Silver 12 9.600 (1st) 8.700 (2nd) 8.500 (1st) 8.450 (1st) 36.250 (1st)

Jensen DeJong

Osky Level 7 10-11 9.000 (2nd) 7.950 (2nd) 9.300 (1st) 8.650 (3rd) 34.900 (2nd)

Sydney Sarver

Osky Level 7 10-11 9.150 (1st) 9.050 (1st) 9.125 (2nd) 9.25 (1st) 36.575 (1st)

Ruby Johnson

Osky Level 7 12 Scratch/ injury Scratch/ injury 8.025 (3rd) 7.650 (4th) N/A

This Saturday, February 25, is the Winter Term Rec Exhibition at the YMCA Gymnastics Facility. The event will last from 9:00-noon and admission is free to the public. Spring Term for gymnastics begins the week of March 5th, registration is now open. For details and more information on YMCA gymnastics,