YMCA Gymnastics Team Looks Forward to Competitive Season

With a number of veteran athletes and some enthusiastic newcomers, the North Suburban YMCA’s Competitive Gymnastics Team opened its 2015 season on January 11 with a meet at the Cary Gymnastics Club. The gymnasts on the team range from age 8 to 14, and will be competing against other teams in the YMCA and AAU leagues. The Y’s team competed at Levels 3 and 4, with several gymnasts appearing in their first competitive event.

In the Level 3 Junior B division, Sarah Gordon was the all around champion, and placed first on bars and floor and second on vault and beam. Charlotte Trout was beam champion and earnedfourth all around. In the Level 3 Senior A division, Lauren Stinchcomb came in first on bars and beam and was awarded all around champion. Junior division newcomers Dylan Rome, Jenna Freund, and Chesine Ciota all had a great start to their season: Dylan came in third on bars, beam, floor and all around; Jenna was fourth on bars and fifth on beam and all around; and Chesine was in the top 10 for all around. Chesine was all smiles when she completed her first event, exclaiming, “That was so much fun!”

The Y’s Level 4 Senior Division gymnasts also enjoyed a successful meet. In Senior A, Katie Dahlke was all around champion, came in first on bars and floor, and earned second place on vault and beam. Her teammate Talia Siegel came in fifth on bars. In Level 4 Senior B, DeDee Van Treeck came in third on vault, second on beam, and first on bars, floor and all around; Molly Fraser came in second on floor and sixth all around; Genevieve Sanchez came in fourth on floor; Josie Sobecks came in fifth on vault; Sophie Rogoff came in fourth on beam, third on floor and second on bars and all around; and Zena Abdelhamid and Abby Knebelkamp each had strong routines that finished in the top 10 on floor and vault.

The Competitive Team is the culmination of the NSYMCA’s progressive developmental program, which starts with preschoolers and offers training through eighth grade. The overall goals of the program are the development of skills, strength and self-confidence in a fun, supportive environment. Participants progress through levels at their own pace with attention given to individual needs. Competitive team members are selected through evaluations, and are expected to travel with the team to meets during the season, running from January to May.

Gymnasts enjoy the supportive, individualized nature of the Y’s program. Bridget Billig, an eighth-grader who has been on the team for five years, comments, “I have always loved the program because of the laid back feel and the focus on making individuals succeed and be happy where they are. Nobody is forced to compete in a level that is too difficult for them, but my coaches don’t hold kids back in order for the highest possible score.” She also appreciates the Y’s flexibility that accommodates busy schedules. “The amount of time we spend practicing is very manageable for kids with other sports and activities, yet we almost always do very well in competitions despite fewer practices.”

“We’re very excited about the prospects for this year’s team,” noted NSYMCA Sports and Gymnastics Director Carol Sassorossi, who shares coaching duties with Jenna Norman, Leah Kartsimas, Jessica Thompson and Kerry Stinchcomb. “Our experienced gymnasts have been with the program for a long time, and the younger girls have the potential to develop quickly under their leadership.” The team’s next competition will be a meet at Vikings Gymnastics in Niles on January 17 and 18.

Registration is now open for Winter session programs at the North Suburban YMCA. For more information about Y gymnastics, visit www.nsymca.org or contact Carol Sassorossi, csassorossi@nsymca.org.

About the North Suburban YMCA
The YMCA is a not-for-profit entity and relies on donations to make services available for all families and individuals in its 15-city region. All board members are volunteers, who donate their time, talents and financial resources. Located at 2705 Techny Road in Northbrook, the YMCA has served the northern suburbs of Chicago for over 45 years. The Y is about youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility, providing programs and services that address the needs of our diverse community and are accessible to all. For more information or to make a donation, contact Barb Flanagin at 847-272-7250 or bflanagin@nsymca.org, or visit www.nsymca.org.

Photo 1 Caption: The North Suburban YMCA’s Competitive Gymnastics Team launched their season on January 11. Level 3 gymnasts competing at the meet included (from left) Dylan Rome, Jenna Freund, Sarah Gordon, Charlotte Trout, Lauren Stinchcomb and Chesine Ciota.

Photo 2 Caption: NSYMCA Level 4 gymnasts competing on January 11 included: (bottom, l to r) Talia Siegel, Abby Knebelkamp, Zena Abdelhamid, Genevieve Sanchez (top, l to r) Sophie Rogoff, Katie Dahlke, Molly Fraser, Josie Sobecks and DeDee Van Treeck.