24 Gem City Tumblers Headed to USTA Nationals in Madison
Twenty-four athletes from Gem City Gymnastics & Tumbling are headed to Madison, Wisconsin, to compete at the 2026 USTA National Championships, taking place June 14–20. This is the culmination of an outstanding season — and a reflection of the work these athletes have invested in the gym week after week.
Each of these tumblers qualified at the USTA Southern Illinois State Championships on April 26 in Pana, Illinois, where 30 Gem City athletes earned national-qualifying spots. After all registrations were finalized, 24 will make the trip to represent our program on the national stage. These athletes train up to four times a week in two-hour practices focused on building power, precision, and consistency — and the results of that commitment are evident in the way they’ve performed all season.
Our national team includes a mix of honor roll students, multi-sport athletes, and participants in other Gem City programs such as gymnastics and all-star cheer. That kind of balance requires real drive, and we see it in their focus every day. Of course, none of this would be possible without the families who have logged hours on the road, made sacrifices, and shown up as their athletes’ biggest supporters.
The tumbling team is coached by Zeke Cernea, Anne Nash, Sydney Sherman, Josey Miller, and Lydia Roth. Read more about the program here.
We’ll be sharing daily updates on Facebook and Instagram throughout Nationals week, with a full recap of results posted the week of June 23.
Congratulations and good luck to all 24 of our tumblers — you’ve already accomplished something great by earning your place on this stage.
Athletes Representing Gem City at the 2026 USTA National Championships
- Dorothy Boehmer, 16, Pittsfield
- Kya Ellefritz, 16, Quincy
- Weslynn Gauch, 10, Hannibal
- Everly Gittings, 8, Quincy
- Will Hesson, 9, Quincy
- 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
- Mae Pittman, 15, Quincy
- 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
- Morgan Venvertloh, 12, Mendon
- Norah Yackley, 10, Taylor
