Simmering wins state championship

Justin Simmering of Washington was one of four athletes from IDE Gymnastics who won a state championship at the United States Trampoline and Tumbling Association (USTA) Iowa State Championship trampoline competition, which was held at Central College?s Kuyper Fieldhouse in Pella on Saturday.

Simmering won the intermediate boys? division with a score of 12.4. Three of his teammates also won state championships in their respective events. Olivia McClaran won the novice girls? age 10 division with a score of 17.3, Bryanna Popejoy won the beginner girls? 11-and-over class with a score of 17.2, and Juliette Pohren won the sub-advanced girls? 8-and-under division with a score of 17.0.

All 13 members of the Fairfield Parks and Rec team, which also included Kiara Bickham, Michelle Zhang, Madalyn Rauscher, Ashlyn Elmore, Maggie Ferrel, Taryn Scheuermann, Ella Pollet, Kristin Burnstedt and Justin?s sister Gracey Simmering, received trophies as well as ?boarding passes? entitling them to compete in the USTA National Championship meet in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., beginning on June 18. Both Simmering siblings plan to compete at nationals.

The team, coached by Jeff and Jeanne Ide of Brighton, has just completed its first year as a competitive group. Jeff Ide said that he is very satisfied with the progress the team has made this year, and he looks forward to expanding the program when a new gym is built.