Elk Grove Gymanstics

Picture from L to R- Jenna Keith, 10, Norridge; Kayah Mendocha, 10, Lake Zurich; Kaiya Koyanagi, 10, Mt Prospect; Meghan Smith, 8, Mt Prospect; Emily Stewart, 8, Franklin Park; Caroline Mogielnicki, 9, Mt Prospect; Maggie Pappanicholas, 8, Mt Prospect; Francesca LoRusso, 10, Norridge

Elk Grove Gymnastics School is proud of their Level 3 Girls Team. These girls, ages 8-10 trained 9 hours per week with Coach Sue Behrmann and competed in 7 USAG meets before reaching their goal of competing at the State Meet in St. Charles on March 7-9.

All girls exceeded the 33.0 points (out of possible 40) required to qualify for State Competition. At the State meet- held at the DuPage Expo Center, all scored above 35 points with a team all around average of 36.353.

Highlights of the season were "Too many to mention," per Coach Behrmann. "The girls had a great season and exceeded all of their personal goals!" Kayah Mendocha was proud to achieve 9s on all events at the Elk Grove Pajama Invite in February, and Meghan Smith had a personal best vault (9.4) earning her a second place finish at the same meet. Francesca LoRusso had a first place finish on vault at the Santa's Workshop meet in December. Many of the girls were proudest of their accomplishments at the State Meet. For Kaiya Koyanagi this included a 4th place All-Around finish with a score of 37.550. Emily Stewart earned a 3rd place finish on floor with a 9.575. Caroline Mogielnicki achieved a personal best on floor during the State meet- finishing in 7th place with a 9.275. For Jenna Keith, a 9.05 on bars outshined all other accomplishments. Maggie Pappanicholas, who had the team's highest score of the season, winning 2nd on floor with a 9.7, sums it up best saying she's, "happy with the whole season. I love the whole team and Coach Sue."

The girls returned to the gym on March 10th- already working on the skills they'll need as Level 4 gymnasts when the competition season starts up again next fall.

Heather Elliott-Smith