Dynamic Gymnastics Hosts the 2024 Spirit of America
by Warren Rosenberg, MetroSports Magazine - February 5, 2024
The New York State Women’s Artistic Gymnastics competition season is well underway with State Qualifying events taking place across the Empire State. On the weekend of February 2-4, gymnasts from Westchester, Putnam, and NYC gathered at Dynamic Gymnastics in Mohegan Lake, NY, for the annual Spirit of America State Qualifier which brought together over 450 gymnasts representing 14 regional training gyms. In addition to the competitive gymnasts ranked in levels 1 through 9 and who may advance toward becoming members of the Team USA and potential Olympic competitors, the meet also featured gymnasts participating in the less competitive Xcel Division.
Above: Dynamic Gymnastics competitor performing the floor exercise. Photo credit - Warren Rosenberg
The Xcel Division is “an alternative competitive program offering individual flexibility to coaches and gymnasts. The goal of Xcel is to provide gymnasts of varying abilities and commitment levels the opportunity for a rewarding gymnastics experience” according to the USA Gymnastics governing body.
Coached by two former Olympic Gymnasts, Teodora Ungureanu-Cepoi and Sorin Cepoi, the members of the Dynamic Gymnastics team performed exceptionally well in the 2024 Spirit of America Meet. The competitive gymnasts from Dynamic captured first place podium positions and medals in the Level 2, 3, 6, 8 and 9 divisions and swept all three of the first through third place positions in Levels 2 and 8.
Above: Gold Star Gymnastics competitor performing on the floor exercise. Photo credit - Warren Rosenberg
Lana’s Gymnastics located in the borough of Queens in New York City took home first place honors in Level 7, White Plains WYCA Tumblettes captured first place honors in Level 4 competition, and the Westchester Gymnastics and Dance team swept all first three positions in Level 5.
Above: Lana's Gymnastics athlete completing her floor exercise routine. Photo credit - Warren Rosenberg
Below: Westchester Gynmastics and Dance gymnast perofrming her routine on the bars. Photo credit - Warren Rosenberg
Dynamic Gymnastics’ Hayley Madden, an Xcel Diamond level gymnast listed as number 12 among the top 100 Xcel Diamond athletes in the America by MyMeetScores based on her 9.725 beam performance at the 2024 Gold Medal Invitational, participated in Spirit of America. Hayley, a student at Walter Panas High School competing on the Lakeland-Panas gymnastics team, has qualified for the New York State Public High School Athletic Association's State Championships held on March 4th. Hayley will be competing on the floor.
Above: Hayley Madden performing on bars. Photo credit - Warren Rosenberg
The final Meet results for the top three finishers in the competitive gymnastics levels for the 2024 Spirit of America NY State qualifying event are:
Level 9
1st Place @ 37.350 Maggie Johannsen, Dynamic Gymnastics
2nd Place @ 36.850 Olivia Marricco, Dynamic Gymnastics
3rd Place @ 34.625 Vicki Zhou, Lana’s Gymnastics Club
Level 8
1st Place @ 37.100 Abby Aiello, Dynamic Gymnastics
2nd Place @ 36.800 Alyssa Farina, Dynamic Gymnastics
2nd Place @ 36.800 Olivia Cruz, Dynamic Gymnastics
Level 7
1st Place @ 37.150 Kaitlyn Lee, Lana’s Gymnastics Club
1st Place @ 37.150 Isabella Canale, Lana’s Gymnastics Club
3rd Place @ 36.675 Cristina Damato, Y.W.C.A. Tumblettes-Tumblers
Level 6
1st Place @ 37.125 Chuchu Cheng, Dynamic Gymnastics
2nd Place @ 36.925 Peri Bernstein, Y.W.C.A. Tumblettes-Tumblers
3rd Place @ 36.600 Anabelle Agosta, Gold Star Gymnastics
Level 5
1st Place @ 34.425 Lila Hyman, Westchester Gymnastics and Dance
2nd Place @ 34.300 Ella Friedler, Westchester Gymnastics and Dance
3rd Place @ 33.900 Or Friedler, Westchester Gymnastics and Dance
Level 4
1st Place @ 37.125 Dakota Taylor, Y.W.C.A. Tumblettes-Tumblers
2nd Place @ 36.150 Elia Fahey, Dynamic Gymnastics
3rd Place @ 35.300 Sofia Hunt,Triumph Gymnastics
Level 3
1st Place @ 36.925 Tori Buckley, Dynamic Gymnastics
2nd Place @ 36.450 Avery Chadha, Westchester Gymnastics and Dance
3rd Place @ 36.325 Grace Chang, Westchester Gymnastics and Dance
Level 2
1st Place @ 37.325 Lily Drago, Dynamic Gymnastics
2nd Place @ 36.600 Tereza Dupkanic, Dynamic Gymnastics
3rd Place @ 36.375 Ines Oshiro, Dynamic Gymnastics
3rd Place @ 36.375 Tali Schwadron, Gold Star Gymnastics
The names, scores and final positions of all gymnasts, both in the competitive and Xcel divisions can be seen on the website of Meet Scores Online at https://meetscoresonline.com/Results/31856.
Photos of individual gymnasts at several of the sessions are available for viewing and purchase at www.nyspg.com
