Local gymnasts excel at national competition

SANDUSKY — Rose Gold Gymnastics had a breakthrough performance at the recent YMCA National Gymnastics Championship. The gym, based at the Erie County Fairgrounds, won team titles in the Xcel Gold, Silver and Bronze divisions. "We've never done as well as we did this year," said Barb Rose, who has been coaching gymnastics for 40 years. "We have a great staff and the gymnasts take a lot of pride in their shapes and forms. They work really hard at that." This was the third time Rose has taken a team to nationals under her banner. She previously was affiliated with the Sandusky YMCA program. Alana Patterson, 12, was the all-around champion in her Xcel Gold category with a score of 38.125. She scored a 9.0 on vault, 9.55 on bars, 9.7 on beam and 9.925 on floor exercise. She won each individual event except vault, where she placed third. "Alana always has the best form. Everything is spot on," Rose said. "Last year she went and I don't think she took a first place. It's just huge." Patterson was the state all-around champion in April and also finished first at the regional level. Joining her on the Rose Gold Xcel Gold team were Celeste Mason, Claire Watson and Riley Dobbelare. Mason (37.8) and Dobbelare (36.525) finished second all-around in their divisions. Watson (36.425) placed fifth. Members of the club's Xcel Silver team were Mya Reynolds, Adley Sowders, Jessica Serna, Marley Poeschl, K'Mia Carter and Kenzie Schmidt. Poeschl was an all-around champion with a score of 38.925. She place first on vault (9.4), bars (9.85), beam (9.8) and floor (9.875). Serna placed first in all-around in her division with a score of 38.05. The team captain won on vault (9.375) and beam (9.6). Schmidt was second in all-around with a 38.575. The Xcel Bronze champs were Abigail Keller, Emmalyn Sako, Oshe'Ana Sandridge, Lilah Hudgel and Izzy Antonelli-Vaccaro. Oshe'Ana Sandridge (38.25) and Izzy Antonelli-Vaccaro (38.4) placed first in all-around in their divisions while Abigail Keller was second (38.025). Sandridge won beam with a stellar 9.95 and also placed first on vault (9.475) and floor (9.675). Antonelli-Vaccaro placed first on vault (9.4), beam (9.825) and floor (9.6). Keller earned a first place on floor (9.6). The national event was held June 20-25 in Philadelphia. The Rose Gold team, which draws athletes from throughout the Sandusky area, consists of gymnasts ages 5-15. Rose's team had 11 scores of 9.8 or better at nationals and won 24 gold medals. "We had so many high 9s," she said. "They usually don't just hand those out. You have to work for them." Other coaches who worked with Rose at nationals were Kenzie Pluto and Gabby Johnson. Rose also credited coaches Bella Lesch and Drew Battles. "Without these exceptional coaches, the team's remarkable achievements and championship titles would not have been possible," she said. In gymnastics, competitors compete at their skill level. Level 1 is the lowest and Level 10 is the highest. The Rose Gold gymnasts competed in the mid-level Xcel divisions. According to USA Gymnastics, the Xcel program "was developed as 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. The program allows a wide choice in skills to meet requirements so selection may be based on an individual athlete's strengths." The national meet marked the end of the season for Rose Gold, which has been based at the fairgrounds since December 2018. Rose is currently working on new routines to introduce when next season begins in September. She said her gymnasts practice 6-9 hours per week. "A lot of it is through word of mouth," she said about new gymnasts joining her team. "We make it fun, exciting and challenging. It's a lot of hard work but there are a lot of rewards for the girls."