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Gators have strong showing in Pennsylvania

| 04 Feb 2016 | 03:48
    Caroline Dietz of Lafayette and Reese Abrams of Sparta go 1 and 2 in the Platinum level.
    Caroline Dietz of Lafayette and Reese Abrams of Sparta go 1 and 2 in the Platinum level.
    Morgan Witt of Newton was fifth place for the balance beam for the Gold level.
    Morgan Witt of Newton was fifth place for the balance beam for the Gold level.
    Cameron Volpe of Sparta was first place in the all-around.
    Cameron Volpe of Sparta was first place in the all-around.

SPARTA — Amid a field of almost 1,000 gymnasts, Giant Gymnastics’ Garden Gator competitive team came home with more than a few clinking trinkets to call their own from their latest meet.

The success achieved at this out of state meet was evident in both the team awards and personal awards achieved by the Gators.

The Janet Rothenberg Memorial meet is hosted each year by United Sports Academy in Pennsylvania. Named for a gymnast who was part of the United Sports Academy family, Janet Rothenberg died suddenly at the age of 19 while studying abroad in China, but not before completing a dream of hers to do a handstand on the Wall of China. The meet named in her honor raises funds for a $5,000 scholarship given each year to a competing senior. This was the second year the Gators have attended the memorial meet, and one they look forward to next year.

“From a coaches’ standpoint it is a very well-run meet," said coach and co-owner John Skorski. "There are a lot of gymnasts that compete that weekend, and I know from experience coordinating an event like that can be a huge task for anyone. I also think it is important for our gymnasts to compete against others they may not typically see during their regular season in New Jersey. There are gymnasts that come from as far as Virginia and Massachusetts to compete in this meet.”

For Giant Gymnastics, the larger competition meant putting the Gators in a more challenging situation. The Gators were faced with a meet large enough to boast two complete gyms set up in an enormous convention hall. The size of the event could have been intimidating, but did not impact their performance. The Bronze Gator team brought home their second 1st Place team award, and the Platinum team brought home the 2nd Place team award. All total the gymnasts brought home 44 places of 6th or better, with 19 of those being first- through third-places medals.

For more information about Giant Gymnastics of Sparta’s Garden Gators, or their classes and special events, visit them online at www.GiantGymnastics.com or call 973-579-9400.