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Westys hosts gymnastics clinic

| 02 Sep 2016 | 12:31
    At far right instructor Tim Rajkumar and gymnasts watch as a hand stand is executed.
    At far right instructor Tim Rajkumar and gymnasts watch as a hand stand is executed.
    Westys founder Danielle Oehrlich (black T-shirt) supervises gymnasts.
    Westys founder Danielle Oehrlich (black T-shirt) supervises gymnasts.
    Twelve year old Cassandra Sullivan of Sparta Township and 10-year-old Micah Pryor of West Orange practice on the uneven bars.
    Twelve year old Cassandra Sullivan of Sparta Township and 10-year-old Micah Pryor of West Orange practice on the uneven bars.
    Westys founder Danielle Oehrlich (white shorts) observes gymnasts in action.
    Westys founder Danielle Oehrlich (white shorts) observes gymnasts in action.
    Instructor Jacqueline Combs works with an athlete on the uneven bars.
    Instructor Jacqueline Combs works with an athlete on the uneven bars.
    Twelve year old Cassandra Sullivan of Sparta Township and 10-year-old Micah Pryor of West Orange practice on the uneven bars.
    Twelve year old Cassandra Sullivan of Sparta Township and 10-year-old Micah Pryor of West Orange practice on the uneven bars.

FRANKLIN — Westys Gymnastics of Franklin Borough hosted a clinic on Thursday, Aug. 25.
The day was part of a two day gymnastics event concluding on Friday featuring several guest gymnastics teams and coaches from the tri-state area.
Aspiring athletes were instructed by founder and coach Danielle Oehrlich and her staff. Gymnasts were put through different drills which included routines involving the balance beam, uneven bars. leaping, stretching, calisthenics etc.
Go for the Gold Gymnastics and Perpetual Motion Dance Studio were among the guest teams participating.
Oehrlich founded Westys Gymnastics 22 years ago in Sparta Township, New Jersey. She had the current facility in Franklin built 12 years ago. The 8,800 square feet air conditioned facility is fully equipped to accommodate the needs of gymnasts. Westys conducts several training programs for male and female athletes.
From grade school age on up to the high school level, classes are geared to improve the skills and competency of athletes.
"My goal is for every athlete to learn gymnastics and to be recognized," Oehrlich said. "We have shows and competitions throughout the year. Our gymnasts train between four and nine hours a week which allows them to prepare and qualify for state, regional and national contests. Many of the gymnasts that have trained here have gone on to participate in collegiate level gymnastics. Some have even returned as coaches to teach."
Westys Gymnastics participates in and promotes a few local gymnastics events in Sussex County during the year. Upcoming events can be viewed on the company website and on it's Facebook page.
There are numerous career paths that can be ventured into from a gymnastics background. Professional cheer leader for a sports team, circus performer, coaching, a stuntman or stunt woman in movies and television. And for a select few perhaps an appearance at the Olympics.
North Stars Gymnastics Academy in New Jersey and Montclair State University is where Oehrlich honed her gymnastics skills as a young gymnast. Oehrlich participated in other sports but gymnastics was her favorite activity. For her, gymnastics has become not only a profession but an opportunity to share her passion with a new generation of gymnasts.
For more information about Westys Gymnastics and the different programs offered, the company's online presence is http://www.westysgym.us/ and the physical address is 18 Park Drive Franklin, NJ 07416.
The Westy's Gymnastics facility is also available to host birthday parties.