Strivers Gymnasts Earn State Titles

Level-six gymnast Makiala McCambridge and Excel Silver gymnast Anna Gallardo-Ibarra – part of the Strivers Team – captured state titles in the All-Around competition in La Crosse. Both earned gold by outscoring 40 to 50 other gymnasts within their level and age bracket to earn the state champion honors.

McCambridge also took silver in the All-Around and bronze on beam. Gallardo-Ibarra earned silver in the All-Around and bronze on vault. The Striver Team returned with 33 individual medals and a fourth-place team trophy for the Excel Silvers.

Some of the other awardees include Jozlynn Burlo (Excel Silver): bronze in All-Around and floor; Leah Baierl (Silver): bronze on beam; Shylee Asher: silver on bars; Lauren Pratt (level two): silver on balance beam; Stevie Routhieaux (Gold): silver on floor; Abi Tooley: bronze on bars.

The team’s coaches are Nikki Pollman, Amy Gamble, Gerritt DeJonge, Heather Haase, Mikki Rankin, Libby Pieczynski and Erin Hemminger.

The Striver Team will send 23 qualifying gymnasts to the 2019 YMCA Gymnastic Nationals in Wisconsin Dells in June.