Local Gymnasts Advance to National Championships

The Marblehead/Swampscott YMCA Level 8 gymnastics team has much to be proud of after capturing both the State and Northeast Regional Championship titles. The team is now headed to the Nationals on Tuesday.

After placing third in last year's state meet, the girls set their sights higher, determined to become 2010 state champions.

Their hard work paid off on April 14 to 16 at the Greenfield YMCA. The locals placed first in the State Championship with a score of 106.3.

The win advanced the Level 8 team to the Northeast Regional Championship at St. Anselm's College in Manchester, N.H.

The prestigious meet took place in May and showcased nearly 900 gymnasts.

Forty different YMCAs, located in New Hampshire, Maine, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Massachusetts and New York were represented at the meet.

The competition was intense, but the locals again placed first, with many of the girls taking home individual awards as well.

The next level of competition for the team is the National Championships, which will be held in San Diego, Tuesday through Friday.

Although the team is relatively young and new to high level competition, Head Coach Danielle Walker said her team "has been working hard and has a lot of confidence after winning the state and regional titles."

Hoping to bring the Marblehead/Swampscott YMCA to victory are Jade Bachman, Alexis Lemieux, Michelle Manfra, Chase Davies, Lily Frontero, Carly Kulevich, Caroline Tripodi, Katie Walker, Katherine Pitman and Julia Pelletier.