X-Cel's excellence
CRANBERRY TWP — It was the best season yet for X-Cel Gymnastics.
And that's saying something.
Based in Cranberry Township, X-Cel just finished up its 15th season.
Many members reside in nearby school districts — Seneca Valley, Mars, North Allegheny, Hampton and Pine-Richland, among others.
The Level 6 team recently won the Pennsylvania State Championship, held at Alvernia College in Reading.
In addition, the club's gymnasts earned 21 state titles in their respective events.
X-Cel has seven different competition levels (5-10 along with a Prep-Optional level).
Many of the club's gymnasts in levels five through seven competed at the Sectional Championships in the spring, while those in levels eight through 10 went to the Regional event, which includes gymnasts from Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey and West Virginia.
In all, X-Cel brought home 29 section titles and four regional championships at the individual level.
"We had a very successful year," said X-Cel coach and team manager Cara Blumenschein. "In fact, it was the most individual titles we've had."
Three of the club's Level 9 gymnasts — Erin O'Shea, Alexsis Petrikis and Maria Papageorge — qualified for the national championships in Dayton, Ohio.
Youth gymnastics has become a year-round sport and the members have to stay focused in order to succeed.
During the heart of the meet season, which begins in November, members are asked to train five to six days per week and three to five hours per day.
"In the summer, Wednesday is an optional day," Blumenschein added. "But 90 percent of our gymnasts came in to get some work in."
The regimen has taught the gymnasts the meaning of dedication and responsibility, and it carries over into the classroom.
"Ninety-five percent of our kids are straight-A students," Blumenschein added. "And they develop great friendships and are goal setters.
"They're all beautiful human beings to begin with, but their dedication truly is astonishing."
While some gymnasts at X-Cel may have dreams of competing in the Olympics — Level 10 is just one level below Olympic competition — that is not the main focus of the club.
"We try to keep the focus on being the best you can be right now, with the ultimate goal being to get a college scholarship," Blumenschein said.
For more information, log onto xcelgymnastics.com or call 724-772-0055.
Following are the X-Cel gymnasts who earned first place in their age group at Sectionals (SE), the Regional event (R), and/or the Pennsylvania State Championships (ST):<B>Level 10: </B>Allie Misenhelter (ST-Beam)<B>Level 9:</B> Erin O'Shea (R-Beam, R-All Around), Jordan Gillette (ST-Beam), Danielle Malter (ST-Floor), Maria Papageorge (ST-Floor)<B>Level 8: </B>Taylor Smith (R-Floor), Alyssa Wozniak (R-Floor, ST-Floor), Amanda Tonti (ST-Bars)<B>Level 7: </B>Taylor Hockenberry (ST-Bars, ST-Beam, ST-All Around), Alecia Petrikis (ST-Floor, SE-Floor, SE-All Around), Madison Graner (SE-Bars, SE-Beam), Kacie Lach (SE-Vault)<B>Level 6: </B>Alexandra Herbick (ST-Vault), Molly Koegler (ST-Beam, ST-Floor), Anna Marie Haywood (ST-Vault, ST-Bars, ST-Beam, ST-Floor, ST-All Around, SE-Vault, SE-Floor, SE-All Around), Morgan Culichia (SE-Floor), Stephanie Dorsch (SE-Floor, SE-Vault), Victoria Love (SE-Vault)<B>Level 5: </B>Madeline Mianzo (ST-Floor), Alexis Gorman (SE-Vault, SE-Bars, SE-Beam, SE-Floor, SE-All Around), Abby Richards (SE-Vault)Prep-Optional: Allie Marshall (ST-Beam, SE-Beam, SE-Floor), Mary Rekuc (ST-Bars, SE-All Around), Beth Bishop (SE-Bars, SE-Floor, SE-All Around), Sara Hershberger (SE-Floor), Rachel McAndrew (SE-Vault, SE-Beam, SE-All Around), Courtney Matessa (SE-Bars)
