YMCA gymnasts had a big year
Published 10:40 pm Monday, April 4, 2011
The following Austin YMCA gymnasts qualified in the MAGA individual state meet this season: left to right: Jennifer Boyle, Kelsey Hackenmiller, Maddie Mullenbach, Paige Raymond and Sidney Bangert. -- Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com
As his first season as YMCA gymnastics director winds down, Guy Knepper is happy with what he’s seen so far.
His program, which is called the Angels, sent three teams to state and had one gymnast take first place all-around at state.
“This was a great year for my first year in,” Knepper said. “It’s been successful, I’m excited and I’ve had a lot of fun learning about MAGA gymnastics over the past year. It’s a little different than USA gymnastics.”
Katy Jorgenson, left, and Breanna Wehner were named MAGA Division 2 coaches of the year for the YMCA Gymnastics team this year. -- Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com
The Wings team took eighth at the Division 10 state meet, the Halos took sixth at the Division 7 meet and the Guardians took eighth at the Division 2 state meet.
The program also qualified five gymnasts for the individual state meet and Maddie Mullenbach, who is on the Guardians, led the way by taking first overall with a score of 34.400. She took fifth in the vault with an 8.600, first on the bars with an 8.100, fourth on the beam with an 8.375 and first on the floor with a 9.325.
Jennifer Boyle of the Guardians took fifth on the bars at state with a 7.50, Kelsey Hackenmiller of the Guardians took seventh on the bars with a 7.650, and Sidney Bangert of the Halos took fifth on the bars with a 7.050 and 19th on the vault with a 7.650.
Paige Raymond of the Guardians qualified for state in the vault, but she wasn’t able to compete due to a conflict in schedule. She was seeded fifth.
While his team is happy with what it has done, Knepper said the hard work isn’t over.
“A lot of hard work and dedication this season will go into the summer months and that will set us up even more for our future.,” he said. “We’re pleased with the direction we’re taking things.”
Austin YMCA Gymnastics director Guy Knepper, left, and coach Sam Kiker accepted the Division 2 sportsmanship award. It is the second time Kiker has been a part of a team that has won the sportsmanship award. -- Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com
The number of gymnasts have increased this season as there were at least 150 competitors under the high school age.
“We’re a growing program and I think the popularity is a good thing,” Knepper said. “Part of that comes with change (in leadership), but at the same time a lot of the kids are coming to the gym to have fun. They walk out of here with a big smile on their face and they’re telling their friends about it.”
Austin coaches Breanna Wehner and Katy Jorgenson were named Division 2 coaches of the year and Austin also took home the sportsmanship award.
