YMCA Aerials Produce State Champion Gymnast
Kennedy Klein (photo submitted)
Kennady Klein, a 5th grader from Pella and Level 5 gymnast on the Oskaloosa YMCA Aerials JO Compulsory Team, brought home three gold medals from the 2011 Iowa State Championships. The competition was held December 9-11 at the Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center in Waterloo, hosted by Black Hawk Gymnastics. Klein had her best meet of the season and beat out 22 other 10 year-olds to win the all around title with a score of 36.8 (age group 10b). Klein also won the gold on the floor exercise (9.325) and balance beam (9.225), as well as the silver medal on vault (9.2) and bronze on uneven bars (9.05).
Emma Dawson, a 2nd grader from Osky and Level 4 gymnast on the Aerials JO Team, tied for 3rd place the all around with a score of 35.7 (age 8a). Dawson also captured bronze medals on the vault (9.45) and balance beam (8.75), as well as 6th place on the uneven bars (8.8).
The team had three other gymnasts qualify for the competition and all three placed in every event:
Collette Edwards (Level 5, age 10a) 11th on vault (8.45), tied for 8th on bars (8.4), 8th on beam (8.675), 11th on floor (8.1), and 10th in the all around with a 33.575.
Emily Schutz (Level 5, age 9a) tied for 7th on vault (8.3), 9th on bars (8.125), 7th on beam (8.575), 13th on floor (7.325), and 11th in the all around with a 32.325.
MaKenna Schaffner (Level 4, age 8b) 13th on vault (8.575), 9th on bars (8.65), tied for 9th on beam (8.05), 12th on floor (7.975), and 12th in the all around with a 33.25.
The team will be competing in a post-season meet hosted by Chow’s, January 11-15 at Vets in Des Moines. The Jan 11-15 meet will also be the first meet of the season for the Aerials Level 7 gymnasts, Ruby Johnson, Sydney Sarver, and Jensen DeJong, who moved up to the Optional levels last December and have been working hard learning new, more difficult skills, and creating and perfecting their own routines.
For more information on YMCA gymnastics, please contact gymnastics director, Meghan Slay at gymnastics@mahaskaymca.org
