ST. PAUL -- With the sports world in Minnesota still abuzz with the news of hometown hero Joe Mauer’s first ballot election into the baseball hall of fame, we are elated to report news on the success of our very own hometown heroes, the competitive team at Ultimate Gymnastics.
Few things instantly come to mind when you hear the word CLASSIC…Cars? Movies? or the word SPECTACULAR…Super Bowl? NHL All Star Game?
There is a new sheriff in town when you think classic and spectacular. Ultimate Gymnastics Women’s Artistic Gymnastics competitive squad recently enjoyed a superb trek to Minnesota, with the event's top Canadian entry combining for a phenomenal 117 trips to the medals podium during their third of four visits south this year.
Twenty-five competitive athletes suited up to represent the local club at the Classic Winter Spectacular, hosted by Classic Gymnastics, at the St. Paul River Centre in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Thirteen of the club’s competitors recently had an unbelievable weekend, with all around scores of 37.00 plus, with Harper MacPhail (Xcel Silver) taking top honours and the gold medal, amassing a club best all around score of 38.10 while bringing home gold medals for both uneven bars and balance beam with incredible scores of 9.725 and 9.650 respectively.
Following MacPhail’s lead, the weekend included three additional first place all around finishers as Madeline Paterson (Xcel Bronze), Celena Winter (Xcel Bronze) and Arya Starkey (Xcel Gold) each wrapped up the event at the top of the podium. Five athletes added to the impressive run, as Brynnly Leroux (Xcel Gold), Marleigh Pepin (Xcel Bronze) and Maddie Logan (Xcel Bronze) also earned their way to all around podium finishes, taking home silver medals for second place all around in their respective categories. Trinity Bisignano (Xcel Silver) and Reese Chesterman (Xcel Gold) rounded out the club's all around tally, with both athletes earning third place all around finishes during the weekend.
Individually, several athletes rose to the occasion placing multiple medals around their necks after equally stellar outings, including Arja MacLean (Xcel Silver), Eva Langen (Xcel Silver), Isla Mehra Bova (Xcel Silver), Paisley Bisignano (Xcel Silver), Alivia Larizza (Xcel Silver), Ava Zappitelli (Xcel Bronze), Kyla Dubinsky (Xcel Bronze), Emma Smith (Xcel Bronze), Maya Suarez (Level 6), Tiandra Caruso (Level 6), Ryann Chesterman (Level 6), Anna Radul (Level 6), Kate Radul (Xcel Gold), Alli Baraniuk (Xcel Gold), Ali Walsh (Xcel Gold) and Taylor Shaw (Xcel Gold).
The club will also hoist three new team award banners to the rafters at their facility, earning 1st, 2nd and 3rd Place team finishes for Xcel Bronze, Xcel Silver and Xcel Gold respectively.
