Dynamic Gymnastics Hosts the 2024 Spirit of America

by Warren Rosenberg, MetroSports Magazine - February 5, 2024

The New York State Women’s Artistic Gymnastics competition season is well underway with State Qualifying events taking place across the Empire State. On the weekend of February 2-4, gymnasts from Westchester, Putnam, and NYC gathered at Dynamic Gymnastics in Mohegan Lake, NY, for the annual Spirit of America State Qualifier which brought together over 450 gymnasts representing 14 regional training gyms. In addition to the competitive gymnasts ranked in levels 1 through 9 and who may advance toward becoming members of the Team USA and potential Olympic competitors, the meet also featured gymnasts participating in the less competitive Xcel Division.

Above: Dynamic Gymnastics competitor performing the floor exercise. Photo credit - Warren Rosenberg

The Xcel Division is “an alternative competitive program offering individual flexibility to coaches and gymnasts. The goal of Xcel is to provide gymnasts of varying abilities and commitment levels the opportunity for a rewarding gymnastics experience” according to the USA Gymnastics governing body.

Coached by two former Olympic Gymnasts, Teodora Ungureanu-Cepoi and Sorin Cepoi, the members of the Dynamic Gymnastics team performed exceptionally well in the 2024 Spirit of America Meet. The competitive gymnasts from Dynamic captured first place podium positions and medals in the Level 2, 3, 6, 8 and 9 divisions and swept all three of the first through third place positions in Levels 2 and 8.

Above: Gold Star Gymnastics competitor performing on the floor exercise. Photo credit - Warren Rosenberg

Lana’s Gymnastics located in the borough of Queens in New York City took home first place honors in Level 7, White Plains WYCA Tumblettes captured first place honors in Level 4 competition, and the Westchester Gymnastics and Dance team swept all first three positions in Level 5.

Above: Lana's Gymnastics athlete completing her floor exercise routine. Photo credit - Warren Rosenberg

Below: Westchester Gynmastics and Dance gymnast perofrming her routine on the bars. Photo credit - Warren Rosenberg

Dynamic Gymnastics’ Hayley Madden, an Xcel Diamond level gymnast listed as number 12 among the top 100 Xcel Diamond athletes in the America by MyMeetScores based on her 9.725 beam performance at the 2024 Gold Medal Invitational, participated in Spirit of America. Hayley, a student at Walter Panas High School competing on the Lakeland-Panas gymnastics team, has qualified for the New York State Public High School Athletic Association's State Championships held on March 4th. Hayley will be competing on the floor.

Above: Hayley Madden performing on bars. Photo credit - Warren Rosenberg

The final Meet results for the top three finishers in the competitive gymnastics levels for the 2024 Spirit of America NY State qualifying event are:

Level 9               

1st Place @  37.350         Maggie Johannsen, Dynamic Gymnastics

2nd Place @ 36.850         Olivia Marricco, Dynamic Gymnastics

3rd Place @ 34.625          Vicki Zhou, Lana’s Gymnastics Club

Level 8

1st Place @ 37.100          Abby Aiello, Dynamic Gymnastics

2nd Place @ 36.800         Alyssa Farina, Dynamic Gymnastics

2nd Place @ 36.800         Olivia Cruz,  Dynamic Gymnastics

Level 7

1st Place @ 37.150          Kaitlyn Lee, Lana’s Gymnastics Club

1st  Place @ 37.150         Isabella Canale, Lana’s Gymnastics Club

3rd Place @ 36.675          Cristina Damato, Y.W.C.A. Tumblettes-Tumblers

Level 6

1st Place @ 37.125          Chuchu Cheng, Dynamic Gymnastics

2nd Place @ 36.925         Peri Bernstein, Y.W.C.A. Tumblettes-Tumblers

3rd Place @ 36.600          Anabelle Agosta, Gold Star Gymnastics

Level 5

1st Place @ 34.425          Lila Hyman, Westchester Gymnastics and Dance

2nd Place @ 34.300         Ella Friedler, Westchester Gymnastics and Dance

3rd Place @ 33.900          Or Friedler,  Westchester Gymnastics and Dance

Level 4

1st Place @ 37.125          Dakota Taylor, Y.W.C.A. Tumblettes-Tumblers

2nd Place @ 36.150         Elia Fahey, Dynamic Gymnastics

3rd Place @ 35.300          Sofia Hunt,Triumph Gymnastics

Level 3

1st Place @ 36.925          Tori Buckley, Dynamic Gymnastics

2nd Place @ 36.450         Avery Chadha, Westchester Gymnastics and Dance

3rd Place @ 36.325          Grace Chang, Westchester Gymnastics and Dance

Level 2

1st Place @ 37.325          Lily Drago, Dynamic Gymnastics

2nd Place @ 36.600         Tereza Dupkanic, Dynamic Gymnastics

3rd Place @ 36.375          Ines Oshiro, Dynamic Gymnastics

3rd Place @ 36.375          Tali Schwadron, Gold Star Gymnastics

The names, scores and final positions of all gymnasts, both in the competitive and Xcel divisions can be seen on the website of Meet Scores Online at https://meetscoresonline.com/Results/31856.

Photos of individual gymnasts at several of the sessions are available for viewing and purchase at www.nyspg.com