Trampolinists compete at nationals

Twelve Fairfield trampolinists competed in the USTA National Meet which was held from June 18-22 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Five of the Fairfield Parks and Recreation sponsored gymnasts scored in the top 10 nationally, even though this was their first year of competition.

At the national competition the ?flyers? are divided into age groups and skill levels, and the competitors are then placed into ?flights? of no more than 10 each. The scores are then compiled and posted according to their placement against all other competitors in the same age and skill level, and some of these levels total 50 or more girls and boys. The overall top 10 scoring performers receive a trophy.

Michelle Zhang, competing at the Beginner level, won first place in her flight and the second place all-around trophy for her routine.

Juliette Pohren, who competed at the Sub-advanced level, took home the third place trophy for all-around as well as third place in her flight.

Justin Simmering?s sequence earned him fourth in the Intermediate level in his flight plus fourth all-around. Maggie Ferrell competed at the Novice level and her routine won a third place for her flight and a ninth place in all-around.

Bryanna Popejoy also competed at the Beginner level and took home fifth place for her flight and a 10th place trophy for all-around.

The girls who competed but did not make it into the top 10, overall finishers were: Gracey Simmering, eighth place in her flight; Kiara Bickham, eighth place in her flight; Olivia McClaran, fifth place in her flight; Taryn Schuermann, eighth place in her flight; Ashlyn Elmore, seventh place in her flight; Ella Pollet, sixth place in her flight and Kristin Burnstedt, fifth place in her flight.

Coaches Jeff and Jeanne Ide were very happy with the team?s results.

Jeff remarked, ?These kids competed against 1,600 other trampolinists, many of whom have been practicing their skills and going to nationals for a number of years. The fact that 13 Fairfield team members were national qualifiers and five of our team members made it into the top 10 national finishers is something for the team to feel very proud of, especially since a number of them have only been taking lessons for six months or so. We are going to move forward with both the gymnastics and the trampoline teams this coming year. I don?t doubt that we?ll bring home more trophies next year; these kids are ready to do what it takes to succeed.?

Anyone who is interested in the gymnastics? program at the Fairfield Parks and Rec should check out its Facebook page, ?Gymnastics Fans of Fairfield Iowa,? for videos, pictures and information about upcoming events.