Eight Gem City Gymnasts Earn Spots at USAG Level 3 State Meet
Eight of our Level 3 gymnasts have qualified for the USAG State meet in Waukegan, Illinois, on March 13–15, 2026. Each athlete earned an all-around score of at least 34.00 during the regular season to punch their ticket. It’s a milestone that reflects months of steady, determined work.
To reach this point, our state-bound athletes competed in up to five invitational meets across Illinois and Missouri since last December — all while attending practice two to three times a week year-round on top of school, homework, and everything else that comes with being a kid. Training in gymnastics often means working through stretches where progress isn’t easy to see. The discipline these athletes have shown in trusting the process, week after week, is what earned them this opportunity.
We’re proud to send this group to Waukegan to represent Gem City on the state stage. Here’s a look at who will be competing.
Gymnastics team coaches include Jacob Huff, Hope Huff, Sarah Shumake, and Rylee Mellon. You can read more about Gem City’s gymnastics program and find our meet schedule here.
Level 3 State Meet Qualifiers
These eight athletes qualified for state by earning at least a 34.00 all-around score during the regular season.
- Elinor Aubuchon — Age 12, Quincy
- Paityn Egley — Age 9, Kahoka
- Eden Fimmen — Age 9, Quincy
- Harlow Heintz — Age 11, Hannibal
- Elise McCluskey — Age 8, Memphis
- Arizona Phillips — Age 10, Durham
- Leah Rhoads — Age 10, Palmyra
- Nicole Ryck — Age 8, Hannibal
