Nine gymnasts finalized practice on Thursday, December 8, 2016, with a sense of pride, accomplishment, and anticipation. The Level 3 and Level 4 girls qualified to compete in the Junior Olympic Compulsory State Competition, at Waterloo, IA, Saturday, December 10, through Sunday, December 11. They train at Fitnastics, 1201 S. 17th Street, Clinton, IA, under co-owner/Coach Nicole (Joe) Kupfer and Coach Destinee Irish. Irish will accompany the team, which Nicole Kupfer described as “a good group!”
It was necessary for each girl to earn two qualifying scores, in order to attend the State meet. All gymnasts across the United States compete using the same skills, in Junior Olympic competitions. By the last weekend of September, the Fitnastics team had reached their goal.
Shown left-to-right on December 8 are Level 3 teammates, front, *Chloe Austin-Roeder, 12; Paige Cramer, 9; *Ellie Lake, 10; Megan Kelly, 12; *Malana Mohr, 11; Level 4 teammates, back, *Mia Braddock, 12; *Brooklyn Grams, 10; *Grace Nauman, 12; Ashlynne Schabilion, 10.
An asterix indicate the girls who competed at the State meet in 2015.
Fitnastics offers gymnastics, cheerleading, child fitness, and movement education programs to 385 area youth. There are ten coaches/instructors. Kupfer trained with the former owners from 2002 until 2012, when she and her husband, Joe, purchased the business. They have grown enrollment to nearly twice its former size.
Call 563-243-3848 for information about classes.