KP Gymnastics wins medals at nationals

Sandusky-based KP Gymnastics had several winners at the recent YMCA National Gymnastics Championships in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The local gym, owned by Katie Poeschl, took 15 gymnasts to the competition and competed in Gold, Silver and Bronze divisions. KP won multiple national championships and two team titles. The team's head coach is Kenzie Pluto. "We love attending the YMCA meet; they really do a good job," Pluto said. "It's been a really successful year." Pluto completed her third season leading the program. "With countless hours dedicated to refining routines, creating tailored training plans and mentoring athletes off the floor, she has transformed KP into one of the premier gymnastics programs in the region," Poeschl said. "Her coaching directly contributed to KP's teams winning both silver and gold team national titles." Assisting Poeschl and Pluto were Bella Lesch and Leah Sowders. In gymnastics, competitors compete at their skill level. Level 1 is the lowest and Level 10 is the highest. The KP 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." KP Gymnastics is located in the old Baywinds facility next to Court 1 Tennis. Pluto said 37 gymnasts will be part of the program next season — nearly doubling this year's roster. KP team highlights at nationals: Gold Division: Kenzie Schmidt was a national champion, sweeping all five titles in the Gold Younger division, winning on vault, bars, beam, floor and all-around with a score of 38.375. Celeste Mason (Gold Middle) was a national champion on vault, bars, beam, floor and all-around with a score of 37.925. Riley Dobbelare (Gold Older) won every event and an all-around title with a 38.275. She also dominated at the district, state and regional levels, capping what Pluto called a "perfect gym slam." Marley Poeschl won the floor exercise in Gold Younger. At the regional meet, Poeschl scored a perfect 10 on bars — a first for the KP gym. In the Silver Division, Drew Pepon (Younger) clinched first place on bars, floor and in the all-around, with a score of 38.475. Abigail Keller (Silver Older) achieved the highest all-around score of the entire meet (38.950) while also winning titles on vault and beam. She was named KP's Most Valuable Performer ofthe week. "She crused it," Pluto said. "She was absolutely amazing." Adley Sowders (Silver Older) secured a national title on floor. In the Bronze Division, Juliette Hamann earned titles in vault, beam and all-around, finishing with a score of 38.050. Henry Keller excelled in the men's Bronze Division, sweeping the vault, bars, beam and floor and winning the all-around with a score of 37.950.