Schutz Gymnasts shine at gymnastics meet

Lafayette — Schutz Gymnastics’ first competition of the year was recently held at CS Gymnastics in Flanders. Gymnasts competed in four events: Uneven Bars, Balance Beam, Vault and Floor Exercise Routine. It was the first time Schutz’s beginner Copper Team has ever competed, and the top three All Around Competition gymnasts at the Copper level were Schutz’s Rebecca Rodriguez, Marguerite Bysshe, and Taylor Peer. All three also qualified for the New Jersey State Championships. All of Schutz’s Bronze and Silver gymnasts who competed on Saturday also qualified to go to the State Championships. In their age group, Bronze team members Christina Chernati, Kaitlin Lagasca, Bryn Sarner were tops in All Around. Kindra Hough and Joanna Busanic were on top for their categories All Around. And in the final age range, Kristin Smith and Allison Staple also had top places in All Around. The two Silver level Gymnasts at Saturday’s meet were Kelly Hurley and Heather Kilduff. Hurley earned 2nd place on the Vault, 3rd on Uneven Bars and 4th place on Balance Beam, Floor Exercise and All Around. Kilduff received 4th place on Vault. Both qualified to compete at the New Jersey State Championships. For 35 years Schutz Gymnastics has been teaching gymnastics to children and adults. It’s the oldest gymnastics school in Sussex County. When Sparta Residents Pat and Bob Schutz started out, they opened their gym at the Sparta United Methodist Church. In 2001, they moved to their current, larger, location on Millpond Road in Lafayette. Here students from toddlers through adults learn “developmentally appropriate gymnastics and fitness training.” When students reach a certain level of training and expresses an interest in competition gymnastics, they may be asked to join Schutz’s Gymnastics Team. Team members can be as young as 5 years old, and can compete with Schutz up thru high school. Schutz is affiliated with the United States Association of Independent Gymnastics Clubs (USAIGC), and competes with other gyms in USAIGC. With USAIGC, students are placed in Copper, Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum Levels to compete, based on their skill levels. Each level is also divided into age groups. For more information on their open programs, call 973-579-9400 or visit www.schutzgymnastics.com.