Gymnasts advance in USA competition

Gymnasts advance in USA competition

Five members of the Bright Raven Gymnastics Team have qualified to advance to USAG Regional competition by earning high all-around scores at the Level 9/10 State Championships held March 31-April 1 at Shaker High School in Latham, New York. In the Level 9 competition for ages 17 and older, Lindsey Novick of Webster of Webster placed third on balance beam (9.425), third on floor exercise (9.10) and third all around (36.00). Kerry Apeland of Chili placed fourth all-around (35.325) and earned second place on the uneven parallel bars (9.30). Justine Picciano of Henrietta tied with teammate Lindsey Novick on floor (9.10) for third place and finished fourth on bars (8.80).Her all-around total was 35.20. In the 15-16 Level 9 competition, Kathleen Covney of Pittsford placed fourth all-around with a score of 35.70.

In the Level 10 competition for ages 12-14, Taline Lahcanski of Penfield earned fourth place on vault (9.20) and totaled 35.10 all around. Gymnasts must earn a minimum of 34.00 all-around at the state championships in order to advance to regionals. The Regional Championships will be held April 20-22 at Stoney Brook College on Long Island. At Regionals, they will compete with top gymnasts from New England and New York.

Bright Raven's Compulsory Teams traveled to Elmira for the Spring Fling Invitational the same weekend, earning many additional honors. In the Level 4 competition for ages 9-10, Megan Bell of Gates took first place on balance beam (9.45). Tess Diskin of LeRoy took first place on bars (9.70). Hannah Thomas of North Chili placed second on bars (9.60). Madeline Plucknette of Churchville placed second on floor exercise (9.35). In vaulting competition, Kiah Washington of Henrietta took first place (9.70). Maggie Callan of LeRoy was second (9.55). Emily Wade of Gates was third on vault (9.50) and third all around (37.275).

In the Level 4 competition for ages 11 and up, Sarah Daniels of Churchville captured first all around (38.025), first on vault (9.50), first on floor (9.425) and second on both bars (9.50) and beam (9.60). Madeline Kopp of Spencerport placed second on vault (9.40).

In the eight-year-old Level 4 competition, Gailyn Graff of Brighton took third place on vault (9.25).

In the 10-year-old Level 5 competition, Megan Boyce of LeRoy won first place in floor exercise (9.175) and second on bars (9.25). Karina Kyle of Brockport placed second on floor (9.075), third on vault (9.00) and second all around (36.025).

In the 7-9 age division, Alison Steinmetz of Greece also earned second all around (36.525) and second on beam (9.475). In the 12 and over age group, Nikole VanWie of Brockport won first place on floor (9.35), second on bars (9.45), third on vault (8.85) and third all around (36.10). Rebecca Lloyd of Rush earned second place on vault (8.90) and third place on floor (9.325). Olivia Weber of Hilton took second place on beam (9.40).

Competing Level 6 in the 8-10 age division, Megan Stevens of Brockport took first place on beam (9.55), second on floor (9.60) and second all around (37.25). In the 12-year-old division, Danielle Adam of Greece won first place on beam (9.55). In the 13 and over division, Kristina Schiffhauer of Greece took second place on bars (9.25) and Haley Cunningham of LeRoy placed second on beam (9.225).