The trio of Kiley Allen, Jayme Maynard and Grace Vance earned a place on the USA Age Group Development Team for Acrobatic Gymnastics.
According to their coach Angie Layne, owner of Aerial’s Athletics, the trio was considered “up and coming talent that could potentially represent the USA in international competition in the next 12-24 months.
“This is a huge honor for this trio to be placed on this national team,” Layne said. “Although we have had other athletes medal at nationals and do very well, this is the first time in over 20 years that any athletes from Ohio have been placed on the national team. I am very proud of the hard work these athletes put into the sport every week and the dedication of their families. It’s an honor to be their coach.”
The trio will attend the National Team Training Camp at the USA Olympic Training Center at Karolyi’s this fall, Layne said.
Vance is from Wilmington while Allen and Maynard are from Hillsboro.
The Aerial’s Acrobatic Gymnastics team competed in the USA Gymnastics Championship in Providence, R.I. June 8-13.
This national competition and Olympic qualifier featured the best gymnasts in acrobatic gymnastics, tumbling, trampoline, and rhythmic gymnastics in the United States, representing clubs from across the country. More than 1,500 athletes, including 19 local athletes from Aerial’s, qualified through state and regional competitions to compete in the national event, Layne said.
The pairing of Emily Earley and Grace Vance won silver in the Level 10 pairs competition while Kaylee Earley and Ashleigh Weaver took silver in the Level 7 pairs 11 and under division.
Bronze medals were earned by Kendall Anderson, Meri Grace Carson and Emily Earley in the Level 9 trio 16 and over competition as well as by Olivia Bellamy, Ella Biscardi and Cali Layne in the Level 6 trio 11 and under division.
Local gymnasts Kendall Anderson (Clinton-Massie), Kiley Allen (Blanchester), Olivia Bellamy (Leesburg Fairfield), Ella Biscardi (Waynesville), Meri Grace Carson (Miami Trace), Megan Conover (Hillsboro), Emily Earley (Hillsboro), Kaylee Earley (Hillsboro), Kealey James (Blanchester), Cali Layne (Waynesville), Jayme Maynard (Hillsboro), Sammi Shepherd (Leesburg Fairfield), Grace Vance (Wilmington) and Ashleigh Weaver (Waynesville) all earned medals at this year’s national championships meet with Aerial’s bringing home 20 total medals.
Aerial’s complete team results from the national championship:
Level 10 Trio – Allen, Maynard, Vance 50.033 4th Place*
Level 10 Pair – E. Earley, Vance 42.367 SILVER
Level 9 Trio (16&0) – Anderson, Carson, E. Earley 49.200 BRONZE
Level 8 Trio (14-15) – James, Conover, Shepherd 49.357 5th Place*
Level 8 Pair (14-15) – Carson, Layne 47.567 10th Place
Level 7 Pair (14-15) – Anderson, Biscardi 25.367 4th Place*
Level 7 Pair (14-15) – Conover, James 25.333 5th Place*
Level 7 Pair (14-15) – Castillo, Shepherd 23.933 12th Place
Level 7 Pair (11&U) – K. Earley, Weaver 22.800 SILVER
Level 6 Pair (12-13) – S. Earley, Strider 16.133 17th Place
Level 6 Pair (11&U) – Bellamy, Woodruff 17.333 9th Place
Level 6 Trio (12-13) – Strider, Ward, Woodruff 17.033 8th Place
Level 6 Trio (11&U) – Bellamy, Biscardi, Layne 17.900 BRONZE
*6th place and higher at Nationals earn Medals.
The complete results of the 2016 USA Gymnastics Championships can be found at: www.usagymchamps.com.
