Over 1,700 gymnasts from YMCAs across the country converged on Savannah, GA to compete at the 2017 YMCA National Championships over four days from June 29-July 2. The Wilton Family YMCA was represented by 19 gymnasts from Wilton, Ridgefield, Weston and Norwalk, who took home multiple medals and titles, including Championship Titles.
Wilton’s Level 3 girls literally took over the podium. With more than 20 pieces of coveted bling combined, the Senior division gymnasts were a force to be reckoned with. Jeni VonBartheld was the undisputed All Around Championship winner, taking home 1st place gold medals on vault (9.6), bars (9.5) and floor (9.525), and placing 5th on beam (9.1). McKayla Iacoponi came in 2nd AA, placing 2nd on beam (9.325), 3rd on bars (9.0), and 4th on floor (9.050) and vault (9.550). Elizabeth Fahey joined her teammates on the podium with a 3rd place AA finish, taking the title of Beam Champion (9.6), and placing 3rd on floor (9.2) 6th on vault (9.4) and 7th on bars. Nina Ferrucci was 5th AA, crowned Vault Champion with a score of 9.6 and placing 2nd on bars (9.050). Finishing up the Wilton reign on the podium was Madeline Mosquera, coming in 7th AA, 6th on beam (9.050) and scoring 9.350 on vault.
Equally as impressive, Wilton’s Level 3 Junior division gymnasts brought their A-games too. Sofia Vitti came in 4th AA, taking the Title of Beam Champion (9.375), placing 3rd on bars (9.275), 5th on floor (9.375) and scoring 9.40 on vault. Cailyn Cruickshank was 6th AA, placing 3rd on vault (9.650), and 7th on beam (9.175) and floor (9.20). Teagan Stengrim placed 5th on vault and scored 9.050 on floor.
Isabella Giordano had a great meet, taking 4th on bars (9.150), 5th on beam (8.950), scoring 9.150 on floor and placing 7th AA in her Level 4 Senior division. For Level 4 Juniors, Alyssa Smeriglio scored 9.05 on bars with a smooth routine to take 3rd place. Ella Arghirescu scored a 9.0 on floor and executed her best bars routine of the season for 9th place. Emma Incao led her team division with a beautiful beam routine, and injured gymnast Simona Gheorghe provided cheers and moral support.
Ashley Umhoefer’s perfectly balanced routine won her the title of Beam Champion in the Level 5 Child division, in addition to 2nd place on vault (9.225), 6th on bars, and 4th AA. Junior division competitor Alyson Scheurkogel graced the podium multiple times, placing 1st on vault (9.150), 2nd on bars and floor, 4th on beam and taking home the 2nd place AA medal. Ever smiling Donna Stepnowsky placed 4th on bars and floor and 6th on vault. In the Senior division, Ava Walker’s positivity and confidence resulted in her capturing the title of Bars Champion, and placing 3rd on beam and 5th AA.
Level 6 gymnast Jenna Smeriglio had her strongest beam routine of the season, taking home the 6th place medal on beam (8.850) and receiving a 9.050 for 9th place on floor.
Mia Karlehag represented Level 7, scoring an impressive 9.175 (7th place) for her always beautiful floor routine, and placing 8th on vault.
Team leaders offered, “…a hearty congratulations to all the gymnasts for their successes, a shoutout to the gym families for their support, and a huge thank you to coaches Tom Jagelka and Todd Bucaro for helping our girls become stronger competitors every single day.”