Wilmington Youngsters Hope to Return from Florida Trip with Ultimate Souvenir

Watch out Disney, here comes Wilmington - again.

Just six weeks after Wilmington’s A team cheerleaders took first place at the National Pop Warner Cheer and Dance Championships at ESPN's Wide World of Sports Complex at Disney, Gymstreet USA is sending its own gymnastics teams to compete at the same venue.

This competition, The Sand Dollar/Whitlow Gymnastics Invitational takes place annually at the sports complex at Disney and boasts first class women’s and men’s events. 

Competitions run from January 21–23 and Gymstreet’s teams hope to return to Wilmington with the same success as Pop Warner’s A Team.

Two coaches, Alex Parson and Heather Miller will accompany the teams along with owners, Charlie and Kimberly Souza. The teams include levels four, five and seven along with Prep Op Intermediate.

“The teams have been training at this level since June and are excited for an opportunity to enjoy National Level experience,” coach Alex Parsons said. “The teams have already completed in five to seven tournaments this year and have consistently placed in the top three each time. They even have several first place titles to their credit.”

While this is the first time that Gymstreet USA has sent teams to the national level, Parsons has plenty of experience.  “I have been coaching for twelve years,” she said, “and have been to four national championships.”

The work that has gone into preparing for competition is tremendous and the children are dedicated athletes. As owner Charlie Souza said, “These kids train hard. There is no offseason for them. Many of them train between fifteen and eighteen hours a week.”  

The benefits of their hard work and training go far beyond the gymnastics mat.

“These kids are strong,” explained Souza. “They will be better people in the long run.  They become better at time management as they learn to manage school, homework and practice.”

The girls competing in Florida are Abby Slaney, age 7, Rachel Nally, age 7, Maddie Wheeler, age 7, Annie Taylor, age 8, Isabella Seeley, age 10, Brenna MacElhiney, age 10, Ali Rothrock, age 9, Danielle Souza, age 11, Ryleigh Barrucci, age 12, Steph Figuereibo, age 12.  Boys are Kyle Raymond and Chris Mitchell both at level 5.