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Garden Gators thrive at sectionals

| 21 Apr 2016 | 02:45
    The bronze and silver teams of Ainsley Mitchell, Kate Sutphern, Emily Harms, Lily Kicks, Ava Dutro and Cameron Volpe.
    The bronze and silver teams of Ainsley Mitchell, Kate Sutphern, Emily Harms, Lily Kicks, Ava Dutro and Cameron Volpe.
    Gold and Platinum Garden Gators - Fiona Postas, Meghan Smith, Meagan Ward, Emily Rodriguez, Katie Hlywa, Audrey Biss, Reese Abrams, Caroline Dietz, Kelly Cardell and Morgyn Witt.
    Gold and Platinum Garden Gators - Fiona Postas, Meghan Smith, Meagan Ward, Emily Rodriguez, Katie Hlywa, Audrey Biss, Reese Abrams, Caroline Dietz, Kelly Cardell and Morgyn Witt.
    The bronze and silver teams of Ainsley Mitchell, Kate Sutphern, Emily Harms, Lily Kicks, Ava Dutro and Cameron Volpe.
    The bronze and silver teams of Ainsley Mitchell, Kate Sutphern, Emily Harms, Lily Kicks, Ava Dutro and Cameron Volpe.

SPARTA — New Jersey will hold its 2nd NJ State Championships for the USA Gymnastics Junior Olympic Level 2 and Xcel programs.
The large event has grown since last year, almost doubling in size.
In its first year, the state meet had 180 gymnasts competing. This year, 173 Xcel and 81 J.O. Level 2 athletes will compete over a two-day period in Mays Landing. Both the Level 2 and Xcel programs, while new to the state of New Jersey, have already exceeded expectations of growth.
“I am so pleased to see so much growth in only one year. This season the Xcel Program is represented by 17 gyms, with more committing for the 2016-2017 season already,” said NJ Xcel Advisor Jennifer Skorski. “This is such a positive program for the gymnasts, coaches, and gyms involved. We are very fortunate that USA Gymnastics has created this alternative program to fit the needs of recreational competitive gymnasts.”
For Giant Gymnastics’ Garden Gator Xcel team, the state meet is one the entire team is looking forward to. All the Gators qualified to compete at States during their first N.J. State Sectional meet in February, and were able to head to the second sectional meet with confidence — and with upgrades for just about every gymnast on the team to try out. That second sectional was met with even more success than the first, with most Gators beating their personal best All Around scores for the season.
“Having the girls already qualified meant this meet was a “no pressure” situation. They went to the meet knowing all they needed to do was their best and have fun,” Skorski said.
The meet was held at the Gators’ sister gym, Giant Gymnastics of Hackettstown, which added to the fun. The Gator gymnasts at both locations have bonded through shared team camp days, a Gator pen pal program last fall, and by competing at the same meets this year.
“As a coach, it’s great to see the comradery between gyms,” Coach Margaret Witt said. “Our Sparta Gators, when in between their own events, always look to see where the Hackettstown Gators and coaches are in their rotations. You can hear us cheering on the other Gators — and they do the same for us. Even though they’re often competing for the same medals, or team awards, the support is there for each other.”
Sectionals ended with Gators bringing home 19 1st place, 16 2nd place, and and 10 3rd place ribbons. With the state championships just around the corner, the Gators are hard at work perfecting their routines in hopes of coming home just as successful on the state level as they were for the Northern NJ sectional meets.
For more information about the USA Gymnastics Xcel program, visit www.USAGNJ.com. For more about programs at Giant Gymnastics of Sparta, visit them online at www.GiantGymnastics.com or call 973-579-9400.