Local athletes to compete in international acrobatic gymnastics event
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Although athletes with Aerial’s Athletics in Wilmington have had a long history of success in their sport of acrobatic gymnastics, most of their success has been at the state, regional and national level of competition. This week will mark a different type of competition for the local team.
The 24-member Aerial’s Acro Team will travel to Las Vegas to compete in the Vegas Acro Cup/FIG World Cup international event. The large international competition will feature over 1,200 athletes from over 12 countries representing four continents. World champion medalists from Russia, China and other tough competitors will attend the four-day competition.
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Aerial’s athletes range in age from 7 to 17 and will be competing mostly in Levels 6-8. However, the trio of Sammi Shepherd, Megan Conover and Kealey James will be competing in the highly competitive Junior Elite Division. The trio attended the event last year as a Level 10 trio and earned the bronze medal. The difference this year is that it is now a World Cup event, attracting more teams from more countries than attended last year.
Team members include:
• Megan Conover and Kaylee Earley of Hillsboro;
• Sammi Shepherd of Leesburg Fairfield;
• Kealey James of Blanchester;
• Aimee George and Haylie Strider of Clinton-Massie;
• Shaylee Slagle and Samantha Woodruff of East Clinton;
• Dana Holloway of Jamestown;
• Alli Knecht of Miami Trace;
• Zyra Crume, Julia Deaton, Cali Layne, Adi Rainwaters and Ashleigh Weaver of Waynesville; and
• Bela Castillo, Sofia Castillo, Erin Dukes, Taylor Dukes, Shayla Earley, Olivia Feldhaus, Bailey Moyer, Reagan Oliver and Makenna Tolliver of Wilmington.
Coaches are Angie Layne, Mary Ann Carson, Taylor Coombs, Jayme Maynard and Ashley Willian.
“We’re going to face some of the best in the world this week,” head coach Angie Layne said. “Earning another bronze, or any medal, regardless of the level is going to be difficult. Our athletes have been training for this event since August and are prepared. I wouldn’t ask them to attend an event that is ‘out of their league,’ but each of them definitely need to perform at the top of their potential to medal at this event.
“I’m excited to watch each of them shine in Las Vegas, and regardless of the results, I’ll be very proud of them. I can’t thank each of them enough for trusting in the coaching and training and to the parents for the sacrifices to attend an event of this magnitude. It truly takes a group effort, and there is no sports family as wonderful as our Aerial’s family.”
Competition results and coverage can be found at www.vegasacrocup.com.
The 24-member Aerial’s Acro Team will travel to Las Vegas to compete in the Vegas Acro Cup/FIG World Cup international event. The large international competition will feature over 1,200 athletes from over 12 countries representing four continents. World champion medalists from Russia, China and other tough competitors will attend the four-day competition.
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Aerial’s athletes range in age from 7 to 17 and will be competing mostly in Levels 6-8. However, the trio of Sammi Shepherd, Megan Conover and Kealey James will be competing in the highly competitive Junior Elite Division. The trio attended the event last year as a Level 10 trio and earned the bronze medal. The difference this year is that it is now a World Cup event, attracting more teams from more countries than attended last year.
Team members include:
• Megan Conover and Kaylee Earley of Hillsboro;
• Sammi Shepherd of Leesburg Fairfield;
• Kealey James of Blanchester;
• Aimee George and Haylie Strider of Clinton-Massie;
• Shaylee Slagle and Samantha Woodruff of East Clinton;
• Dana Holloway of Jamestown;
• Alli Knecht of Miami Trace;
• Zyra Crume, Julia Deaton, Cali Layne, Adi Rainwaters and Ashleigh Weaver of Waynesville; and
• Bela Castillo, Sofia Castillo, Erin Dukes, Taylor Dukes, Shayla Earley, Olivia Feldhaus, Bailey Moyer, Reagan Oliver and Makenna Tolliver of Wilmington.
Coaches are Angie Layne, Mary Ann Carson, Taylor Coombs, Jayme Maynard and Ashley Willian.
“We’re going to face some of the best in the world this week,” head coach Angie Layne said. “Earning another bronze, or any medal, regardless of the level is going to be difficult. Our athletes have been training for this event since August and are prepared. I wouldn’t ask them to attend an event that is ‘out of their league,’ but each of them definitely need to perform at the top of their potential to medal at this event.
“I’m excited to watch each of them shine in Las Vegas, and regardless of the results, I’ll be very proud of them. I can’t thank each of them enough for trusting in the coaching and training and to the parents for the sacrifices to attend an event of this magnitude. It truly takes a group effort, and there is no sports family as wonderful as our Aerial’s family.”
Competition results and coverage can be found at www.vegasacrocup.com.