Arvada's Gymnastika, a USAG (USA Gymnastics) sponsored gym, won several medals during the December 2006 Level 6 and Level 5 USAG Compulsory State Championships. Notably, the gym trains Danielle DeYoung, the all-around Level 5 gold medalist, Risa Eck, the Level 5 bronze medalist and Dani Speegle, the Level 6 silver medalist. In addition, Gymnastika produced three state champions in vault for the age 8 category (Danielle DeYoung) and age 9 category (Risa Eck) for Level 5, and age 12 category (Dani Speegle) for Level 6.
The gym's Level 5 team just missed the state championship in the child division (ages 8 & 9), scoring only 0.1 behind the Colorado Springs'-based team who won the state title out of a possible 38 teams across Colorado who sent qualifying gymnasts to the state championships. Gymnastika's Level 5 team had 6 gymnasts place in the top 11 out of a total of 318 competitors and they placed 5 th for the overall team category representing all age groups.
"We are very pleased with the impressive skill our girls displayed during the state championships. We truly have some amazingly talented athletes who train very hard and have rightfully earned these titles," remarked Gay Lindsay, co-head coach of Gymnastika.
The girls are coached by Alexei Koudria who also coached Guillermo Alvarez and Alexander Artemev who both represented the National USA Boys Team in the All-Around at Worlds this year.
The Level 6 Meet was held during December 5-6 in Wheatridge, CO, and the Level 5 Meet was held in Colorado Springs, CO over December 9-10. Highlights:
Gymnast | Event | Medal | Level / Age Group |
Dani Speegle | Vault | Gold | Lvl 6 / 12 |
| Floor | Silver | |
| All - Around | Silver | |
Danielle DeYoung | Vault | Gold | Lvl 5 / 8 |
| Bars | Bronze | |
| Floor | Bronze | |
| All Around | Gold | |
Risa Eck | Vault | Gold | Lvl 5 / 9 |
| All Around | Bronze | |
| | | |
Emily Anderson | Beam | Bronze | Lvl 5 / 10 |
| | | |
Level 5 Team | Team | Silver | Lvl 5 / Children's Age Group (8 - 9) |
| Team - All Ages | 5 th | Lvl 5 |
Compulsory levels require all gymnasts to perform the same nationally choreographed routines on 4 events: vault, uneven bars, balance beam and floor exercise. Judges award scores based upon how well gymnasts execute the skills required of their level. Gymnasts have an opportunity to earn up to a 10.0 on each event for a maximum of 40.0 for an all-around score. Each gymnast must earn a 33.0 or higher all-around score during the competitive season to qualify for the state championships.
Gymnastika, which opened its doors in 1992, moved to its Arvada locationalmost 3 years ago. To learn more about the gymnasts and Gymnastika, go to www.gymnastikainc.com.