XCEL BRONZE GYMNASTICS TEAM WINS FIRST PLACE AT ALL AMERICAN CHALLENGE IN UNCASVILLE, CT
Girls Inc. wins a gymnastics team championship for the first time in over ten years
MERIDEN, CT, FEBRUARY 20, 2024 —Girls Inc. of Central Connecticut’s competitive gymnastics team had the opportunity to compete this past Monday, February 19th, in the All American Challenge at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut. The event, hosted by USA Gymnastics, included sessions for the National Gymnastics Association (NGA), National Association of Intercollegiate Gymnastics Clubs (NAIGC), as well as the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), in which Girls Inc.’s team competes through the Xcel Program.
Their Xcel Bronze level squad gave their best performances, securing a first-place win ahead of five other AAU teams from the northeast region. This marks the Girls Inc. gymnastics team’s first time earning a team championship title in over ten years, with the team’s previous first-place win at the 2012 Northeast AAU Regional Championship in Swansea, Massachusetts. Of the champion team, two gymnasts, Annabelle Laferriere and McKayla Hamilton, scored individual all-around championship titles in their respective age divisions, earning total scores above 38 out of a possible 40. Hamilton broke the Girls Inc. all-around score record with an impressive 38.50.
The Xcel Silver level also made high achievements, winning a second-place team title with a squad of only four gymnasts contending for championship against much larger squads from other competing teams. Silver gymnast, Jessica Beardsley, scored an individual all-around championship title with a final score of 38.1.
Among Girls Inc.’s three different squads, Bronze, Silver, and Gold, the gymnasts overcame fears and gave their all for an outstanding day of setting new personal bests and securing multiple event, individual all-around, and team championship titles.
About Girls Inc. of Central CT
In partnership with schools, community-based organizations, and at Girls Inc. centers, Girls Inc. focuses on the development of the whole girl. Girls learn to value themselves, take risks, and discover and develop their inherent strengths. The combination of long-lasting mentoring relationships, a pro-girl environment, and evidence-based programming equips girls to navigate gender, economic, and social barriers, and grow up healthy, educated, and independent. Each day, Girls Inc. inspires ALL girls to be strong, smart, and bold.
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