Oskaloosa YMCA Aerials Xcel team wraps up season at State

Pictured are the Level 2 and 3 Xcel 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. (Ella Roach was unable to compete at state)

The Oskaloosa YMCA Aerials Xcel team competed at the State Meet on May 5 Sports Plex West in Waukee, hosted by Sapphire Gymnastics. This wraps up the season for the Aerials Xcel Team. Their coaches were very happy with the gymnasts’ performances and could definitely see the improvements in all the girls from the beginning of the season up until now. The Aerials brought home one state champion (Emma Kelderman) and several who finished in the top 5.

Name/Hometown Level Vault Bars Beam Floor AA

Lydia VanVeldhuizen
Osky Rookie 2 9.600 Blue 9.500 Blue 9.600 Blue 9.350 Blue 38.050 Gold

Hailey Gunn
Osky Rookie 2 9.450 Blue 9.250 Blue 9.050 Blue 8.800 Red 36.550 gold

Ellison Ritzert
Pella Rookie 2 8.900 red Hand injury 7.800 white 8.700 red NA

Rylee Ebelsheiser
Osky Rookie 3 8.900 red 9.700 blue 9.500 blue 9.400 blue 37.500 gold

Faith DeRonde
Osky Rookie 3 9.400 blue 9.650 blue 9.300 blue 9.150 blue 37.500 gold

Nobalee Galbraith
Osky Rookie 3 9.650 blue 9.150 blue 8.950 red 9.100 blue 36.850 gold

Willa Kelpe
Pella Rookie 3 9.500 blue 8.900 red 9.050 blue 8.900 red 36.350 gold

Nichole Gokey
Sigourney Rookie 3 9.200 blue 9.300 blue 8.700 red 9.000 blue 36.200 gold

Lilly McKay
Osky Rookie 3 8.700 red 8.500 red 8.900 red 8.700 red 34.800 silver

Name/Hometown Level/Age Vault Bars Beam Floor AA

Mallory Vander Meyden
Osky Bronze 10 young 9.550 3rd 9.700 1st 8.700 7th 8.900 5th 36.850 2nd

Emily Holterhaus
Pella Silver 10 8.950 6th 9.350 1st 8.600 4th 9.350 2nd 36.250 2nd

Emma Kelderman
Osky Silver 11 9.400 2nd 9.200 2nd 8.900 5th 9.500 2nd 37.000 1st

Natalie Clayberg
Pella Silver 11 8.200 10th 8.900 4th 9.000 3rd 9.250 3rd 35.350 5th

Pyper Yahnke
Bloomfield Silver 12 9.350 1st 9.100 T-2nd 8.250 7th 9.400 1st 36.100 2nd

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
• Level 3/4 = Bronze
• Level 5/6 = Silver
• Level 7/8 = Gold

For more information on gymnastics, please contact Meghan Slay at 641-295-1434.