Six State Titles and a Full Roster of National Qualifiers for Gem City in Pana

On April 26, our tumbling team traveled to Pana, Illinois, for the 2026 USTA Southern Illinois State Championships. With 30 athletes competing for a chance to qualify for the USTA National Championships this June in Madison, Wisconsin, the stakes were high — and our tumblers responded with one of the strongest performances of the season.

Every one of our 30 competitors earned a national qualifying spot, meaning our full roster will head to Madison this summer. That across-the-board qualifying rate speaks to the steady, season-long work these athletes have put in — not just peaking for one day, but building the kind of consistency that holds up under pressure. Beyond the qualifying results, our team brought home six state championship titles, 16 top-three finishes, and strong placements throughout the lineup from Novice through Elite. The depth of this group continues to stand out; athletes at every level contributed meaningful results.

A huge thank you to our tumbling families for the dedication and support you bring to this program every season. The time, travel, and encouragement you invest makes a real difference.

The tumbling team is coached by Zeke Cernea, Anne Nash, Sydney Sherman, Lydia Schrand, and Josey Miller. Read more about the program here.

Congratulations to all 30 of our national qualifiers — we can’t wait to see this team compete on the national stage in Madison.

Meet Results

• Everly Gittings – Sub-Novice – 1^st (State Champion)
• Kya Ellefritz – Sub-Advanced – 1^st (State Champion)
• KK Vazquez-Epperson – Elite – 1^st (State Champion)
• Morgan Venvertloh – Advanced – 1^st (State Champion)
• Niah Vazquez-Epperson – Sub-Advanced – 1^st (State Champion)
• Vivian Kuchy – Sub-Advanced – 1^st (State Champion)
• Dorothy Boehmer – Sub-Advanced – 2^nd
• Ellisyn Stratman – Advanced – 2^nd
• Elle Ufkes – Intermediate – 2^nd
• Isla Ufkes – Advanced – 2^nd
• Mae Pittman – Advanced – 2^nd
• William Hesson – Sub-Novice – 2^nd
• Galaxie Forrest – Novice – 3^rd
• Hadley Trowbridge – Advanced – 3^rd
• Maelyn Hoener – Novice – 3^rd
• Sarah Shumake – Advanced – 3^rd
• Callie McGowan – Sub-Novice – 4^th
• Esther Vazquez-Epperson – Sub-Advanced – 4^th
• Ava Freesmeyer – Sub-Advanced – 5^th
• Grace Stokes – Intermediate – 5^th
• Claire Venvertloh – Sub-Novice – 6^th
• Norah Yackley – Sub-Novice – 6^th
• Payton Palmer – Intermediate – 6^th
• Liza Maguire – Intermediate – 7^th
• Elise McClusky – Sub-Novice – 8^th
• Ollie Schulte – Novice – 8^th
• Ryli Zahringer – Advanced – 8^th
• Kashley Hunter – Novice – 9^th
• Weslynn Gauch – Sub-Novice – 11^th
• Divya Sangoi – Novice – 12^th