Local gymnasts bound for Junior Olympics
This year has been no exception, as several athletes — Saniya Gaikwad, Abbi Jackson, Tailia Smith, Ariyah Smith, Autumn Mahoney, Ayslyn McCreight, Laney Robinette and Lexi Adoue — will be representing Heidi’s Gymnastics -Philippians 4:13 at the AAU Junior Olympics in Des Moines, Iowa, Monday through Thursday, Aug. 4-6.
The competition includes an event finals format, where the top four athletes on each event, within each level and session, advance to the championship finals on Friday, Aug. 7.
To reach this point, the team put together several exceptional performances at the AAU national championships in Knoxville in June.
Saniya Gaikwad and Abbi Jackson both were honored with the prestigious AAU All-American Award, one of the highest recognitions awarded at the AAU National Championships while Gaikwad was the highest-scoring gymnast at the competition.
“While many accomplishments were celebrated throughout the week, this honor is especially significant, as Abbi and Saniya achieved the highest all-around scores in their entire competition session,” De La Rocha said. “Their dedication, perseverance, and outstanding performances earned them one of the highest honors available in AAU gymnastics.”
The team also earned seven perfect 10.0 scores at nationals, “a remarkable accomplishment reflecting countless hours of hard work, dedication and perseverance throughout the season,” De La Rocha said.
Robinette earned two perfect 10’s, one on vault and one on floor exercise.
Mahoney received a 10.00 on balance beam while Smith
received two 10.00 scores, as well, one on beam and one on vault.
Jackson earned a 10.00 on balance beam, as well as her All-American award, and Riley Phillippi received a 10.00 on balance beam.
“I could not be more proud of every gymnast who represented our gym,” De La Rocha said. “These athletes demonstrated courage, determination, sportsmanship and heart throughout the competition.
“Whether they earned a medal, achieved a personal best, qualified for the next level or simply gave everything they had, each gymnast made our gym proud. We are incredibly proud of these athletes, and we wish them the very best as they represent Heidi’s Gymnastics – Philippians 4:13 on the national stage.”
Even deeper than the awards, though, De La Rocha noted what she saw in her gymnasts’ behavior on and off the mat.
“While the awards and accomplishments are exciting, what makes me most proud is the character these young ladies displayed,” she said. “They encouraged one another, celebrated each other’s successes, persevered through challenges and represented our gym with grace, integrity and faith.”
