YMCA of Greater Brandywine wins Level 4 championship

Competitors from all across Pennsylvania came to compete in the 2015 Pennsylvania State Gymnastics Championship at YMCA of Greater Brandywine’s, Oscar Lasko Youth Program Center on Chestnut Street in West Chester. The Y proudly hosted this prestigious gymnastics competition; which this year, for the first time ever, included gymnasts competing in Levels 4 through 9.

The YMCA of Greater Brandywine not only hosted this year’s competition, it boasts winning the 2015 State Championship at Level 4. Auriol Azzara and Sydney Taraschi also each won the all around state title at Level 4 in their age groups. This team and these young ladies had previously won these titles at their League Championships earlier in April. The remainder of the league and State Championship level 4 team is: Maura Fisher, Hui Hui Daniels, Sidney Sagullo, Caitlin Rhodes, Jadyn Blum, Holly Griswold, Maddie Weller, Olivia Shah, Rachel Andiario, Meghan Scully, Kendal Roberts, Lillian Foley, Adeline Hale, Leah Moffitt, Ellie Conlin-Day, Shriya Roberson, Kerry Peyton and Isabel Lacker.

Representing the YMCA of Greater Brandywine at Levels 6 and 7 and taking home third place for states were Rylee Scarlata, Samantha Acello, Carla Gagliardi, Johanna Arevalo, Victoria Rodgers, Alisa Colliton, Sheryl Kelsall, Sydney Schroeder, Emily Mikhail, Brittany Jordan, Rebecca Cohen, Kristine Gilligan, and Hannah Ellingsworth. The level 8 and 9 team won numerous individual medals and consists of Karis Demi, Caroline Billone, Sarah Guttman, Hayley Watters and Mariah Park.

This year’s state championship drew 375 competitors and a crowd of more than 1,000 people over the course of the weekend.

Also, the Level 3 team had competed in their State Championship meet in Bradford, as well as their League Championship in Phoenixville. Leah Fenicle won the league and state all around title in her age group and Alexis Nemchik won the State all around title in her age group. The level 3 team is Merys Schroeder, Elizabeth Kern, Reese Paterno, Iris McGrady, Krista Inman, Ava DiPietro, Lilly Campli, Kelly Warner, Madison D’Ambro, Kelly Barker, Camryn Constable, Cate Constable, Sydney Dossa, Julia Riley, Alexa Ferentinos and Karla Avila

In addition to the team’s gymnastics successes, Hannah Ellingsworth, a senior this year at Downingtown West, was honored with the League’s Kerry Hoffner Memorial Scholarship Award. She has been a member of Hannah Ellingsworth, a senior gymnast for the YMCA of Greater Brandywine, was the recipient of the League’s Kerry Hoffner Memorial Scholarship. She is pictured with her coaches; Donna Watters, Glenda Masten and Olivia Labs.

the Y’s Gymcats for12 years and was selected based on GPA, years in Gymcats, recommendation letters as well as applicant essay reflecting upon what the YMCA gymnastics program has meant to them.

“Gymnastics has brought me on a wild ride, through

the ups and downs. I have stayed strong and know that because of this sport, I will be able to conquer anything I set my mind to. It has strengthened relationships not only with my teammates, but with my coaches that will last forever,“said Ellingsworth.

COURTESY PHOTO