AADG gymnasts hold their own
For The Madera Tribune All About Dance gymnasts pose with Olympic gold medalists Shawn Johnson. From left are Noelia Calvillo, Samantha Cunningham, Johnson and Suzanna Gonzalez.
Gymnasts from All About Dance and Gymnastics competed in the Bratayley Great Destinations Invitational at Disneyland.
The competition included gymnasts, not only from California, but from across the United States.
Coached by Kirsten Hefner, All About Dance and Gymnastics gymnasts Noelia Calvillo, Samantha Cunningham and Suzanna Gonzalez competed at Junior Olympic Level 3 and Cayla Silva competed at Level 4 at the Jan. 21 meet.
Cavillo competed in the Level 3, Junior C division, and tied for second on vault and placed fifth on the uneven bars. Cunningham competed in the Level 3, Senior A division, and placed sixth on both balance beam and floor exercises.
Competing in Level 3, Senior B, Gonzalez placed fourth on vault, fifth on floor, sixth on beam and seventh all around. Silva competed in the Level 4, Junior A division, and brought home seventh place on beam.
Hefner said she was really able to see how her gymnasts have grown as athletes at this competition.
“They faced some really tough competitors that were lured by the YouTube notariaty of the Bratayleys and they represented Madera well with their sportsmanship and effort,” Hefner said. “The gymnasts were thrilled to not only meet the Bratayleys but also former Olympic gold medalist Shawn Johnson, as well as other professional sports athletes.”
Members of the team also competed at the Black Tie invitational, hosted by Edge Gymnastics Training Center at the Alameda County Fairgrounds where Level 2 gymnasts Jade Guzman and Natalia Gil made their spring season debut.
