Ignite Gymnastics sent a huge team to the regional championships in Texas, recently, and returned home with one champion and several other medal performances.
The regional meet was held at the World Champion Centre in Houston and included athletes from seven states: Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Wyoming, New Mexico and Colorado. The competing gymnasts had to qualify for regionals at their respective state meets.
Several of Ignite’s gymnasts, however, proved they’re among the best around.
Amira Montoya, 13, of Ignacio won a regional championship and also had three other top-10 finishes. Montoya won the Senior F1 age group on uneven bars with a 9.4. She also placed seventh on her floor routine with a 9.175, 10th on vault and ninth all-around.
Laeliana Shubert, 13, of Pagosa Springs finished as the Senior G4 age group silver medalist on beam with a 9.45. Shubert also finished sixth on bars with a 9.175, sixth on floor with a 9.4 and sixth all-around with a 36.25.
Reagan Oelschlaeger, 10, of Durango won a silver medal on floor in the Junior D3 age group with a 9.05. Oelschlaeger also placed seventh on beam, eighth on bars and 10th on vault to finish ninth all around.
Several other gymnasts finished just off the medal stand.
Amelia Perkerewicz, 11, of Bayfield placed fourth on the floor exercise with a 9.175 in the Junior G3 age group and also placed ninth on both the vault and bars.
Rose Baxter, 11, of Bayfield placed eighth on bars with a 9.15 in the Junior H4 age group.
Zoe Gabb, 12, of Bayfield also competed in the Senior C2 age group and placed 14th in the region on the balance beam.
Macy Robinette also qualified for the regional meet, but was unable to attend.
“We are so excited to give these girls this opportunity,” Ignite Gymnastics head coach Liz Herring said. “We are very proud of the girls and their ability to compete in this next big step up.”
The coach also said Olympic gold-medalist Simone Biles was seen at the meet.
Aubrianna Foutz, a platinum-level gymnast from Ignite, also qualified the regional championships. Foutz scored a 34.50 all-around score recently at the state championships to qualify for regionals, finishing ninth on beam with an 8.8 and 12th on floor with a 9.25.
“That is a 100% regionals qualification,” Herring said. “We are excited with the team success this year!”
