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Junior Olympics team takes top three spots at sectionals

| 03 Feb 2017 | 03:50
    Meghan Smith, Cameron Volpe, Fiona Postas, Katie Hlywa, Ashley Smith and Caroline Dietz all claimed qualifying scores at the second sectional.
    Meghan Smith, Cameron Volpe, Fiona Postas, Katie Hlywa, Ashley Smith and Caroline Dietz all claimed qualifying scores at the second sectional.
    Katie Hlywa, Cameron Volpe, Fiona Postas, Caroline Dietz, Megan Ward and Meghan Smith all qualified for the state championship in November.
    Katie Hlywa, Cameron Volpe, Fiona Postas, Caroline Dietz, Megan Ward and Meghan Smith all qualified for the state championship in November.

SPARTA — In November, the Giant Gymnastics’ Junior Olympics team attended the first Sectional Meet in Flemington, hosted by Gymnastics Unlimited.
Every gymnast from Giant improved her all around score, and secured the top three places in the 11+ Level 4 group. To add to these accomplishments, the gymnasts also qualified for states, which is a qualification that can only be earned by qualifying for a competing in a sectionals meet. The State meet will be held in February.
Co-owner of the gym, Jennifer Packard, says of their success: “I am very excited to see how well these group of girls are handling the demands of the Junior Olympic program. As coaches, gymnasts, and parents, we are all in this together, and it makes me so happy to see the girls gain such a positive experience from a more strenuous program.”
The Junior Olympics program is new to Sparta’s Giant Gymnastics this year. The five gymnasts are level 4, which means they work out at the gym for 10 hours every week, while the Excel team members only practice between six and nine hours each week. In order for these gymnasts to reach level five, they will have to earn a score of 31 or more in their All Around scores during a competition this season, which each of the participating gymnasts have done in this sectional.
In the second sectional event they attended earlier this month, most of the gymnasts scored in the top for all around scores. This meet was the lead up to the state championships. One third of the state’s level fours attended this sectional, which gives the gymnasts a good idea of the skills their competition posses.
Giant Gymnastics is hosting the Level 4 NJ Junior Olympic gymnasts, with the state Junior Olympics Committee hosting the Level 3s, on Feb. 11 and 12. This is the first time Giant is hosting a meet off-site; they will be hosting it at the Hilton in Parsippany, N.J. This also marks the first time Giant Gymnastics has the honor of hosting a NJ Junior Olympic State Championship, as well as the first time their gymnasts will compete at states. It is sure to be an exciting weekend for this gym.
For more information about Giant Gymnastics competitive teams, recreational classes or special events, visit them online at www.GiantGymnastics.com or call 973-579-9400.