MORRIS COUNTY — The North Stars Gymnastics Academy proudly announces 12 National Qualifiers from its USAG National Women’s Development Program, with one of its gymnasts dominating the national field scoring the highest all-around among all Level 10s at the annual U.S. regional meets.
After intense competition, six Level 10 gymnasts and six Level 9s from North Stars Gymnastics qualified at the USAG Region 7 Regionals held at the Nittany Valley Sports Center in State College, Pa. April 11-14. The gymnasts are trained by Head Team Coach Ashley Umberger, Faith Baranowski, Heather Moroz, Shenice Martin, Melissa Jones, and Brielle Benoski.
The USAG Gymnastics Women’s Program is comprised of eight regions throughout the nation, representing all 50 states. Region 7 Gymnastics is the governing body of USAG Gymnastics representing Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia.
The top seven all-around finishers and one alternate from each age group qualify to represent Region 7 nationally. Ten is the top score gymnasts could receive for each event including balance beam, uneven bars, floor exercise, and vault. All-around scores are comprised of all four events with 40 as the highest.
In line with North Stars’ long-standing tradition of excellence, senior Olivia Kelly of Mahwah earned the highest all-around score among all Level 10s from the eight USAG regions with a 39.425. The Missouri Women’s Gymnastics Team commit also won the top spot at the New Jersey Level 10 State Championship last month.
“We are proud to have so many of our talented athletes qualify to compete at these prestigious events,” said Ashley Umberger, CEO, part-owner, and head coach of North Stars Gymnastics Academy. “Their hard work, dedication, and perseverance have paid off, earning them an opportunity to compete and showcase their skills on a national level.”
The Level 10s will compete in the USAG Development Program 2024 National Championship May 9-12 at the Volusia County Ocean Center in Daytona Beach, Fla. The top four all-around athletes from each age division will make up the USA Development Program National Team and receive an invitation to participate in a special training camp. The event will be streamed live via a subscription service.
North Stars’ Level 10 National qualifiers include:
- Olivia Kelly, 17, Mahwah (Bergen County) Class of 2024, Sr. D
North Stars Gymnastics Academy Homeschool Program, senior
University of Missouri Women’s Gymnastics Team commit
AA champion, first place 39.4250
Beam, first place 9.900
Bars, first place 9.850
Floor, first place 9.950
Vault, 9.725
- Leah Higgins, 13, Boonton (Morris County) Class of 2029, Jr. A
North Stars Gymnastics Academy Homeschool Program, 7th grade
AA, fifth place 37.4250
Bars, 9.500
Beam, 9.000
Floor, fifth place 9.575
Vault, 9.350
- Stella Fischer, 14, Bridgewater (Somerset County) Class of 2027, Jr. B
North Stars Gymnastics Academy Homeschool Program, freshman
AA, fourth place 36.8250
Bars, fourth place 9.400
Beam, second place 9.625
Floor, 8.725
Vault, 9.075
- Sophia Rocca, 14, Blairstown (Warren County) Class of 2028, Jr. B (All-Star Session/event specialist-beam)
North Stars Gymnastics Academy Homeschool Program, 8th grade
Bars, 9.275
Beam, first place 9.650
- Kai Mattei, 17, Melville,Y. (Suffolk County) Class of 2025, Sr. B
North Stars Gymnastics Academy Homeschool Program, junior
AA, fourth place 37.4500
Bars, 8.975
Beam, first place tie 9.625
Floor, 9.400
Vault, 9.450
- Alana Walker, 17, West Orange (Essex County) Class of 2024, Sr. D
North Stars Gymnastics Academy Homeschool Program, senior
Stanford Women’s Gymnastics Team commit
AA, second place 38.5250
Bars, 9.375
Beam, fourth place 9.500
Floor, second place 9.850
Vault, second place tie 9.800
In Level, 9, gymnasts will compete individually in their respective age groups and as part of the Region 7 National Team from May 2-5 at the USA Gymnastics Women’s Artistic Level 9 Eastern Championships at the Myrtle Beach Sports Center in South Carolina.
Easterns consists of Regions 5, 6, 7, and 8 — representing 26 states in the Eastern part of the U.S. The other half, Regions 1, 2, 3, and 4, will compete at Westerns the same weekend in Coralville, Idaho.
North Stars’ Level 9 qualifiers for Easterns include:
- Mira Kalra, 15, Basking Ridge (Somerset County) Class of 2026, Sr. 3
Ridge High School, sophomore
AA champion, first place 38.1750
Beam, first place 9.450
Bars, first place 9.500
Floor, first place 9.675
Vault, first place 9.550
- Olivia Cuff, 14, Denville (Morris County) Class of 2027, Jr. 7 (first alternate)
Morris Knolls High School, Rockaway, N.J., freshman
AA 35.900
Beam, 8.525
Bars, 8.375
Floor, fourth place 9.525
Vault, third place 9.475
- Ashlyn Cummings, 12, Oak Ridge (Morris County) Class of 2029, Jr. 2
North Stars Gymnastics Academy Homeschool Program, 7th grade
AA, sixth place 36.950
Beam, 8.725
Bars, second place 9.450
Floor, 9.500
Vault, 9.275
- Lia DiNapoli, 15, Butler (Morris County) Class of 2026, Sr. 3
North Stars Gymnastics Academy Homeschool Program, sophomore
AA, third place 36.5750
Beam, 9.200
Bars, 8.600
Floor, 9.300
Vault, second place tie 9.475
- Keira Schwarz,14, Basking Ridge (Somerset County) Class of 2028, Jr. 6
William Annin Middle School, Basking Ridge, 8th grade
AA, third place 37.600
Bars, first place 9.400
Beam, 8.950
Floor, first place tie 9.700
Vault, third place 9.550
- Sh’Nai Thompson,16, Dunellen (Middlesex County) Class of 2025, Sr. 5
Dunellen High School, junior
AA, second place 37.6250
Bars, 8.800
Beam, second place 9.425
Floor, second place 9.600
Vault, first place tie 9.800
