A Season of Work Pays Off as 32 Tumblers Head to State in Pana
Our Gem City Tumbling Team heads to Pana, Illinois, on April 26 for the USTA Southern Illinois State Championships. Thirty-two athletes earned the opportunity to compete at State after a season that began in November and included anywhere from three to seven Illinois competitions each.
This meet also serves as a qualifying event for USTA Nationals, taking place June 15–20 in Madison, Wisconsin, where the top 15 athletes per level from each state will advance.
Our tumblers train one to three times per week, with some athletes adding private lessons to sharpen specific skills. That kind of consistency over a full season — showing up, putting in the work, and building on each competition — is what earns a spot at State. We’re proud of the focus and determination this group has shown all year.
Here’s the full roster of Gem City athletes competing at the USTA Southern Illinois State Championships.
Tumbling team athletes are coached by Zeke Cernea, Anne Nash, Sydney Sherman, Josey Miller, and Lydia Schrand. Read more about Gem City’s tumbling team here.
State Championships Roster
- Dorothy Boehmer, 16, Pittsfield
- Kya Ellefritz, 16, Quincy
- Ava Freesmeyer, 15, Pittsfield
- Galaxie Forrest, 9, Quincy
- Weslynn Gauch, 10, Hannibal
- Everly Gittings, 8, Quincy
- Will Hesson, 9, Quincy
- Kayden Hill, 13, Bowen
- Maelyn Hoener, 11, Mendon
- Kashley Hunter, 10, Edina
- Vivian Kuchy, 9, Winchester
- Liza Maguire, 12, Hannibal
- Elise McCluskey, 8, Memphis
- Callie McGowan, 9, Quincy
- Payton Palmer, 12, Clarksville
- Ella Parker, 11, Hannibal
- Mae Pittman, 15, Quincy
- Divya Sangoi, 14, Quincy
- Ollie Schulte, 10, Alexandra
- Sarah Shumake, 23, Fowler
- Grace Stokes, 13, Quincy
- Ellisyn Stratman, 14, Quincy
- Hadley Trowbridge, 13, Quincy
- Elle Ufkes, 10, Quincy
- Isla Ufkes, 12, Quincy
- Esther Vazquez-Epperson, 10, Payson
- Kaylin Vazquez-Epperson, 13, Payson
- Niah Vazquez-Epperson, 10, Payson
- Claire Venvertloh, 10, Quincy
- Morgan Venvertloh, 12, Mendon
- Norah Yackley, 10, Taylor
- Ryli Zahringer, 14, Bethel
