Champions, Scholarships, and Trophies: A Record-Breaking Nationals for Gem City
Gem City’s Tumblers traveled to Rapid City, South Dakota on June 16–20 for the 2025 United States Tumbling & Trampoline (USTA) National Championships, and came home with their strongest Nationals performance to date.
This milestone meet capped off a remarkable 2024–2025 season that began last November. After competing in a minimum of three (and up to seven) invitationals and qualifying at the State Championships in April, 33 Gem City athletes earned the opportunity to attend Nationals. Out of 33 qualifiers, 27 committed to the trip, and 25 ultimately took the floor in South Dakota.
Tumbling team athletes are coached by Zeke Cernea, Sydney Sherman, Anne Mash, Josey Miller, and Lydia Roth. Read more about the Gem City’s tumbling team here.
And what a showing they had. We’re proud to share that Gem City is now home to three 2025 USTA National Champions:
- Ruby Akerson – Advanced
- Back-to-back champion! Ruby also claimed the Advanced National title in 2024!
- Niah Vazquez-Epperson – Sub Advanced
- Elle Ufkes – Sub Novice
Our team also brought home three National Award honors:
- Christian Klingele – Griswold-Nissen Award for Tumbling
- Ruby Akerson – Amanda Howe Memorial Sunshine Sportsmanship Award (+ $500 college scholarship)
- Sierra Bergman – Stella Sponsler Ray of Light Memorial Award (+ $500 college scholarship)
In a record-setting year for the gym, Gem City earned three team awards:
- Advanced Girls Team – 2nd Place
- Sub Advanced Girls Team – 3rd Place
- Sub Novice Girls Team – 2nd Place
This recognition is especially meaningful given the size and depth of the competition: 108 teams from across the nation were represented at this year’s Nationals.
Special Spotlight: Christian Klingele
Christian has had an extraordinary season. Not only did he compete for Gem City in Rapid City, he also represented the USTA National Elite Team, a distinction he earned at tryouts in February. Tumbling five days in a row, he competed in both the Elite division (placing 2nd) and the Open Elite division (placing 2nd). Christian’s consistency, work ethic, and leadership were on full display all week long.
Final Results
Age Elite Division:
- Christian Klingele – 2nd Place
- Kaylin Vazquez-Epperson – 3rd Place
Open Elite Division:
- Christian Klingele – 2nd Place
Advanced:
- Ruby Akerson – NATIONAL CHAMPION
- Ellisyn Stratman – 3rd
- Isla Ufkes – 4th
- Ryli Zahringer – 6th
- Sarah Shumake – 6th
- Sierra Bergman – 10th
Sub Advanced:
- Niah Vazquez-Epperson – NATIONAL CHAMPION
- Morgan Venvertloh – 3rd
- Dorothy Boehmer – 10th
Intermediate:
- Kayden Hill – 3rd
- Vivian Kuchy – 5th
- Esther Vazquez-Epperson – 11th
- Grace Stokes – 12th
- Payton Palmer – 15th
Sub Novice:
- Elle Ufkes – NATIONAL CHAMPION
- Liza Maguire – 2nd
- Divya Sangoi – 4th
- Kashley Hunter – 5th
- Maelyn Hoener – 6th
- Ella Parker – 7th
- Audrie Baker – 12th
- Mia Alexander – 13th
We’re so proud of each and every one of our athletes. They exhibited strong teamwork, grit, and positive energy at Nationals along with some strong scores. Thank you to our incredible families for their support, and to the Rapid City community for hosting such a memorable championship.
To see daily photos and more highlights, check out our Facebook and Instagram accounts!
