Courtesy Photo Alpena’s Paige Samp won the all-around competition in her age group and won the highest all-around platinum gymnast.

VASSAR — Alpena’s AAU Competitive Team dominated on April 15 at the 2023 District Championship meet held in Vassar.

A highlight of the meet was Alpena’s Paige Samp winning the all-around competition (in her age group) in the Xcel Platinum division, she also won the award for the Highest All-Around Platinum gymnast.

A team championship was also something to brag about! The Platinum Team also took top honors with a first-place finish. Along with Paige, her sister Grace Samp and teammates Brooke Smith, Lola Halleck, Faith Dragicwicz, and Alliyah Hagemeister had outstanding performances. Brooke took 1st place on Floor with a 9.6, while Alliyah took 1st place on Bars with a 9.0.

The Xcel Gold division consisted of Abby Reinhardt, Clare Lacross, Cece Weaver, Lola Halleck, Cailyn Burrone, Savanna Spangle, and Callie Brousseau. Clare earned a first-place finish on Bars with a 9.35, while Cece earned 1st place on Vault with a 9.75.

Competing for the Xcel Silver division was Aryanna Page, Lydia Allen, Cailyn Peters, Livvy Spangle, Brooklynn Finch, Libby Misiak, Ambria McKay, Rachel Grider, and Madelyn Coffman. First-place finishes for Alpena were Libby on the Vault with a 9.9, Madelyn on the Bars with a 9.2, and Aryanna on the Vault (9.9) and Beam with a 9.75.

Coach Geri Samp and Billy Brousseau were very happy with Saturday’s results. The coaches stated, “It has been a rough couple weeks in the gym. The girls really stepped up and outdid themselves today. The goal was to focus on each other and not themselves. We have been encouraging “Team” and today the girls did just that.”

The next competition will be held in Sandusky, Ohio for the AAU North Regional Championships, on June 2-4 at the Cedar Point Sports Center.

Alpena’s Platinum Team took top honors in district competition and had several individual first-place finishes. Alpena’s gold team had some first-place finishers as well.