Whidbey Island athletes representing two teams produced an impressive performance at the USA Gymnastics Stars and Stripes Championships July 19-21 in West Palm, Fla.
The event served as the national championships for Levels 5-7.
Seven Island Flyers from the Rise Academy of Arts in Oak Harbor and three local athletes from Mount Vernon’s Ground Zero Gymnastics team made the journey to Florida and combined to collect 20 top-10 finishes.
Island Flyers
The Island Flyers, who are coached by Melody and Sean Reagan, were led by Keira Smith, who finished first in her division and third overall in level 5 double mini. She was also sixth in level 5 trampoline.
Cassidy Gore placed second (sixth overall) in level 5 tumbling.
Harmony Wertz nabbed second (seventh overall) in level 5 tumbling and ninth in level 6 double mini.
Catrina Ocanas earned third (third overall) in level 5 tumbling and sixth in level 6 double mini.
Arianna Hunt, competing in level 5, was third in tumbling, seventh in double mini and eighth in trampoline.
Madison Walker collected fourth in level 5 trampoline.
Leighlah Louis was seven in level 5 double mini and ninth in level 5 trampoline.
Ground Zero
Trevor Haskins, coached by Pam Lovett and competing in the 11-12 boys division, registered the best all-around performance by the Whidbey group by taking second (fourth overall) in level 6 trampoline, third (fourth overall) in level 6 double mini and seventh (seventh overall) in level 5 tumbling.
Kaitlyn Rozycki (11-12 girls) claimed third (sixth overall) in level 5 tumbling, sixth (21st overall) in level 7 trampoline and 11th (20th overall) in level 7 double mini.
Allison Lovett (13-14 girls) took fifth (30th overall) in level 6 double mini and eighth (35th overall) in level 6 trampoline.