YMCA Gymnasts Travel to Ohio for National Competition

The 2023 YMCA National Gymnastics Championship meet was held in Cincinnati, Ohio, from June 22-25. Over 75 YMCAs from across the country were represented at the meet, with four gymnasts from the Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA competing: Alana Beardsley, Jessica Glander, Jillian Miele, and Sarah Sicoli.

The opening ceremony was held at the Heritage Bank Center, where gymnasts from 18 states paraded into the arena. Around 1,700 athletes, their coaches, and families singing the YMCA started the ceremony, followed by guest speaker Shannon Miller, a 7-time Olympic gold medalist and cancer survivor, who shared her “Gold Medal Mindset” with the athletes. The evening ended with a performance from the Cincinnati Circus.

The competition opened with Miele competing for Women’s Level 8, and earning a 6th place medal on Vault. This was her 5th year qualifying for Nationals. Beardsley competed in Excel Diamond level, and this was her 4th year qualifying for Nationals.

Both Glander and Sicoli enjoyed their first trip to nationals, after qualifying the past 3 years. Sicoli competed in Level 7, and earned a 4th place medal on Vault. Glander competed in the Excel Platinum level. Each gymnast saw a lot of tough competition in their session and rose to the occasion, putting in some of their best performances of the season.

Aside from the team’s outstanding performances, the YMCA Gymnastics Championships also emphasized the importance of sportsmanship and camaraderie. Athletes from various YMCA chapters across the nation came together to support and encourage one another. The gymnastics community witnessed a display of mutual respect, teamwork, and a shared passion for the sport. Such values highlight the true essence of the YMCA and its positive impact on young athletes’ development.

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The Fanood-Scotch Plains YMCA YMCA offers Gymnastics programs for preschoolers through teens, and spaces are still available for the Gymnastics summer enrichment program. Registration for Fall gymnastics begins August 28 at 9:00am. For more information about gymnastics at the Fanwood-Scotch Plains Y, please contact Jennifer Glander at jglander@fspymca.org or (908) 889-8880 ext. 119.

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The Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA is dedicated to improving the quality of life of the individuals, families and communities it serves through programs and services that build wholeness of spirit, mind and body. The YMCA is a not-for-profit organization founded on Christian principles, serving people of all ages, races, faith, cultures and socio-economic conditions. For information please call the Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA at (908) 889-8880 or visit https://fspymca.org. Financial assistance is available for those who qualify.

The Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA is 501(c)3 organization with a GuideStar 2022 Platinum Seal of Transparency and a Four-Star Rating from Charity Navigator.