Four local gymnasts part of Indiana all-stars
Four local gymnasts advanced to a tournament held in the Pacific Northwest, where intense competition yielded a top-10 finish for one of the Indiana Elite Gymnastics members.
On Jan. 10 to 12 at the Tacoma (Wash.) Convention Center, Faith Kietzman, Bobbie Russell, Zoi Heideman and Alexis Avey of the IEG team competed in vault, floor exercise, balance beam and uneven bars events, representing the Indiana state all-star team. They matched their skills with participants from Alabama, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, and Washington.
The region athletes were joined by Grace Summer and Lillian Cadwell from The Gymnastics Company from Greenwood. The six-person squad had qualified at an earlier downstate event and became eligible to compete in the national challenge.
Kietzman led the group, placing eighth in the all-around competition. IEG coaches said the gymnasts were “thrilled” and “excited for the opportunity” to compete on a national stage.
Each of the girls competed in Level 7 gymnastics events at Tacoma.
Indiana Elite Gymnastics, formerly Lisa’s Gymnastics, is located at 679 W. SR 130 in Wheeler. For information, call 764-1019, e-mail ieg_asa@aol.com, or visit indianaelitegymnastics.com.
Little League to hold registration: The Miller Little League will afford interested players several opportunities this winter to sign up to play ball.
On Saturdays in February and March from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., league officials will be on hand to accept reg- istrations. Those dates include Feb. 8, 15, 22, and March 1, 8, 15, and 22.
The sign-ups will be hosted at the Marshall J. Gardner Center for the Arts (formerly Miller Drugs, across from the Gary Public Library branch) at 540 S. Lake St. in Gary.
According to league officials, boys ages 4 to 16 that live or attend school east of I-65 within the Gary city limits are welcome to participate. Divisions include: Tee Ball, ages 4 to 7; Rookie, ages 7 and 8; Minors, ages 9 to 11; Majors, ages 10 to 12; Junior, ages 12-15 and Senior, ages 15 and 16.
Registration costs are $65 per player, with a $10 penalty applying to sign-ups after March 31. Parents or guardians must bring the player’s birth certificate and three documents proving appropriate residency or one document showing school enrollment.
For information, call coach Daphne at 718-5195 or Nakia Hemphill at 313-6605. Ross Township to offer discount on softball fees: The Ross Township trustee’s office is prepared to reward early-bird registrants with a discount on softball league fees.
Through April 18, the office (6355 Broadway, Merrillville) will accept registrations for the upcoming adult softball league at Hidden Lake Park for $50 off the regular team rate of $500.
The men’s league will play on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays starting May 12. The co-ed league is slated for Wednesdays starting May 14.
For more information or to register, call 769-2111, or visit rosstownship.org.