Docksiders Level 10’s Qualify to Nationals!!

 

     The Docksiders Level 10 team competed at the Region VII Championships held April 8^th and 9^th in Allentown, Pennsylvania.  Each of the 5 Docksiders gymnasts were competing for a spot on the 7 person team that will represent Region VII at the USAG Junior Olympic National Championships which are to be held in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma from April 27^th - 30^th.  The top 7 All Around finishers in each age group qualified for Nationals.  Two alternates were also appointed to the delegation.  Stephanie Ouellette scored the highest All-Around score of her career with a 37.40 to come in 3^rd place and make the Jr. B team.  Her teammate Toi Garcia fought back from a fall early in the competition to score 36.95 and be named the 2^nd alternate in her age group.  Rachel Fincham, who also suffered a fall early in the competition, went on to post some of her highest event scores and earn a 10^th place finish with a score of 36.925.  She was just edged out of an alternate spot.  Also trying for a spot at Nationals in different age groups were Brianna Guy and Hannah Raley.

     In the individual event competitions Stephanie Ouellette earned the title of Regional Beam Champion with the score 9.30.  She also placed 3^rd on Uneven Bars with a score of 9.45.  Rachel Fincham barely missed winning the title of Regional Bar Champion, she was only beaten by .025 of a point, and had to settle for a 2^nd place finish with her score of 9.50.  Toi Garcia placed 2^nd on Vault, with the high score of 9.75, and 3^rd on Floor Exercise with a 9.50.

     The National Qualifiers will train hard for the next few weeks to go against the best of the best in their age groups from all across the country.  Each age group will have 56 competitors at the National Championships representing their regions, states, and individual gyms.  This will be Stephanie’s second consecutive trip to Nationals.  Last year her goal was to place in the top half of her age group, which she just accomplished with a 28^th place finish after counting a fall during her Floor Exercise routine. This year her goal is to have a no fall National competition.  Toi, who competed at last year’s Nationals, will continue to train in the gym with the hope that she will get the chance to compete.

 

     For more information about Docksiders and our programs please check out our website at www.docksidersgymnastics.com.