Eleven gymnasts competed in their age groups. Alayna Gosselin, Rachel Grider, and Livvy Spangle competed in the Xcel Silver Level. Callie Brousseau, Madelyn Coffman, Brooklyn Finch, Clare Lacross, and Aryanna Page competed in the Xcel Gold Level. Faith Dragiewicz and Brooke Smith competed in the Xcel Platinum Level.

Three of those eleven gymnasts qualified for the AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) Junior Olympic Games: Brousseau, Dragiewicz, and Smith, who go on to compete July 23 to 26 in Houston, Texas. Each of the three athletes qualified by having a score in the top sixth place out of every gymnast in their sessions/level, no matter their age.

Dragiewicz qualified on the balance beam with a score of 9.175, taking home a gold medal. Brousseau qualified on vault with a score of 9.625, also taking home a gold medal. Smith qualified on vault with a score of 9.6, and floor exercise with a score of 9.55, taking home a gold medal on vault and a silver on the floor.

“What an honor and an accomplishment for these girls to qualify, and move forward to represent Alpena in such a huge event,” coaches Geri Samp and Billy Brousseau stated in a press release. “These young ladies have been in our gym since they were little girls. They have worked extremely hard and deserve this honor. To say we are proud of them is an understatement.”

Courtesy Photo Coach Geri Samp, Callie Brousseau, and Coach Billy Brousseau pose for a photo at Nationals. Brousseau, along with Faith Dragwiecz and Brooke Smith, qualified for the AAU Junior Olympic Games to be held July 23 to 26 in Houston, Texas.

Alpena also had great success from their other athletes. Gosselin won her first National Championship, in her age division, on the vault. She also placed fourth on beam, and sixth in the all-around. Grider placed fourth on vault and seventh all-around, Spangle placed seventh in the all-around, Coffman placed fourth on vault, third on bars, fifth on floor, and fourth all-around. Finch placed fifth on beam and floor, and sixth all-around. Lacross placed fourth on vault and beam, and eighth all-around. Page placed ninth in the all-around.

“This past week has had so much success on so many levels,” the coaches added. “It is always a privilege and an honor to coach all of these young ladies from Alpena Gymnastics.”

“Congratulations to your athletes that qualified to the Jr. Olympics,” Kurt Golder, Alpena native and past coach of University of Michigan Gymnastics, told the coaches and team. “And congratulations to your staff and Alpena Gymnastics for providing the opportunity and expert coaching. It’s amazing what America’s youth will accomplish when given an opportunity.”

Golder continued, “Thank you for filling the void that the Michigan High School Athletics Association created when they cancelled the sponsorship of Gymnastics. The community should be very proud of everyone involved.”

Donations are being accepted to help raise money for these three gymnasts to travel: https://www.gofundme.com/charity/alpena-gymnastics-inc or if you prefer to send a check, you can do so by addressing the check to Alpena Gymnastics — Junior Olympics,

Courtesy Photo Alpena gymnasts on the Gold Team: Brooklynn Finch, Madelyn Coffman, Clare Lacross, and Callie Brousseau.

461 Princeton Avenue, Alpena, MI 49707.

Courtesy Photo Alpena gymnast Alayna Gosselin holds up her medals she earned at Nationals.

Courtesy Photo Silver Team members Rachel Grider and Livvy Spangle pose with their medals at Nationals.