Regional Ready

 

 

 

 

 

By Kristen McLaughlin
News Editor

PFLUGERVILLE —Seven gymnasts at Platinum Gymnastics Academy recently achieved qualifying scores at the State level and will proceed to compete in Regional competitions this month.

Level eight students Marisa Threet, 10; Kayla Strohmeyer, 11; Kaylee Adams, 11; and Shyanne Foster, 12, competed at the State competition in Plano Friday and Saturday. Strohmeyer, Adams and Foster all qualified for the Level Eight Regional Meet, which will be April 26 in Plano. They will compete against gymnasts from Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas, New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming and Texas.

The girls say gymnastics has played a major role in their lives. "I like competing. It makes me feel confident," Threet said. Adams enjoys the chance to travel to these competitions with her peers. "I like to go to different places. I want to go to college for gymnastics one day," she said.

Foster loves the feeling of performing in front of a crowd. "It gets my adrenaline going and makes me feel good. I think it will be wonderful," Foster said before the competition. Strohmeyer also enjoys the competitions and has set goals for herself. "I like being with my friends. I am trying to place for the Elite Program and go to the Olympics," she said.

Level nine students Monica Minardi, 13; Taylor Ross, 12; and Madeline Reichardt, 12 competed in the state meet in Coppell March 29 and will be proceeding to the Regional competition April 18 - 20 in Wichita, Kan. Malynda Jones, 14, is a level nine student who has not been able to compete because of a foot injury. The gymnasts said they look forward to the challenge and have benefited from all of their gymnastic experiences.

"I hope to make it to Westerns (a competition in May) and get good scores at this competition," said Minardi, who has participated in competitive gymnastics for 10 years. Ross also has high hopes for this competition and for her gymnastics career. "I will be working on getting a 37 or higher and I would like to get to level 10," she said. Reichardt said gymnastics has given her skills she hopes to continue to build on. "It has helped me become more independent. I just want to keep getting better," she said.

Though Jones could not compete this year, she looks forward to cheering on her peers and competing in years to come. "I think it is a blast. People who aren't in gymnastics think it is just amazing," she said. "I would like to possibly compete in college, but I definitely want to go to Regionals next year."

Platinum Gymnastics Director Chris Conner said these accomplishments are just some of the milestones for the center. Since opening eight months ago, the school has obtained 200 students and is growing daily, she said. She and Assistant Coach Monica Subieta say they are proud of the recent performances and their work all year. "Ms. Monica and I are very proud of the girls. They did a very outstanding job this weekend. All of their hard works has paid off," Conner said Monday.

Platinum Gymnastics is located at 1401 Roytson Lane. Call 251-2776 for more information.