Level 6 wins top record-breaking State series for Gurnee gym

It was the icing on the cake! The ten State titles claimed by the Level 6 girls' team from Ultimate Gymnastics closed out what is now a season for the record books.

The most recent successes brought the total number of State titles this season to 36 - the most ever won by the Gurnee-based gym in a single season. "All our athletes, coaches and parents have a lot to be proud of this year," commented Ultimate Coach Shane Sanders.

The Level 6 State successes included a first place finish for the Senior portion of the team. In addition, the Junior portion of the team placed fifth in the State.

Individually, Carlyn Berke walked away with two State titles in the Senior B age group. Her 9.60 score brought her a gold on floor exercise and she took the top spot on vault. She also added silver medals on balance beam and in the all-around.

Floor was certainly a dominant event for the Level 6 girls. In addition to Carlyn's gold at Senior B, there were floor titles for Ashley Derrick (9.60, Youth C), Emma Stermitz (9.70, Junior A), Kayleigh Glickley (9.65, Junior C) and Gianna Pasquesi (9.65, Junior E). Both Kayleigh and Gianna also placed second in the all-around in their respective age groups.

The remaining State titles came on balance beam with Olivia Roebuck (9.525, Senior A), Delaney Jones (9.425, Senior E) and Jordan-Ann Scott (9.45, Senior D) all taking gold on this event.

Meanwhile at Level 7, Lea Alatzakis claimed a trio of silver medals in the Senior C age group, on vault (9.675), floor (9.55) and in the all-around (36.775). In addition, team mates Riley Finnegan (floor, Senior B) and Jenna Ritzert (beam, Senior A) both placed fourth.

In addition to the 36 State titles this season, Ultimate chalked up a number of other club records over the course of the State series. This included the most State titles on vault (10), beam (7) and floor exercise (10) in a single season plus the most all-around champions (5).

Level 4's Chloe Byrne and Jillian Ellenwood because the first Ultimate gymnasts to win four State titles in a single year and Kylie Skie became the first to win a State title at four different levels - Level 5 floor (2011), Level 6 vault (2013), Level 7 floor (2014) and Level 8 floor (2015).

Meanwhile Ultimate's floor and beam coach Brandi Taylor became the first person from Ultimate to coach a state champion 12 years in a row.