Garden Gator Bronze take gold in debut meet

SPARTA — A squad of four gymnasts from Giant Gymnastics Garden Gator competitive team struck gold recently at their first meet of the season. The new Gator team members — Emily Harms, Ava Dutro, Lily Kucks and Ainsley Mitchell — have been working hard since last spring leading up to their debut moment. The four gymnasts comprise the Gator’s Xcel Bronze team.

Although the rest of the Gators had already started their season back in December, this was the first meet for the Bronze level gymnasts. “When warmups began, that was the most exciting moment for me, because I knew it would start soon,” said Harms. Harms also confided that vault was her most exciting event, because she’s so comfortable with her ability there; and that balance beam was the scariest. When it came time for awards, “I was very surprised when they called my name. My experience with speaking at our winter concert helped me though. I knew what to do in the crowd,” said Harms.

You would think first place All Around champion Kucks’ experience would focus on her excitement over the medals she earned, but it wasn’t. “Doing my floor routine was my favorite part because my brother and sister could see me, and I could hear them cheering me on,” explained Kucks. “When I was on the podium, I could hear my brother yelling for me so loudly.”

Giant Gymnastics coach, Margaret Witt, shared, “Gymnastics teaches not just skills needed for routines — it teaches teamwork, and so much more. We try to help them focus less on the score or medal, and more on what they’ve accomplished for themselves and their team over time. The bronze gymnasts were more excited for their team award than they were about the individual awards, and that made me very proud of them.”

For the Garden Gators as a whole, the meet was a huge success, as every gymnast earned a qualifying score for their USAG Xcel Sectionals meet — a requirement if they wish to compete in the State Championship.

For more information about Giant Gymnastics of Sparta’s Garden Gators, or their classes and special events, visit them online at www.GiantGymnastics.com or call 973-579-9400.