Westmoreland County Community College welcomed 14 YMCA gymnastics teams this weekend to the 2023 Pennsylvania YMCA state championships, hosted by the Greensburg Y Aerials gymnastics team.
YMCA teams from all over Pennsylvania are attending the two-day meet. The competition consists of gymnasts in several skill levels going head-to-head in vault, bars, beam and floor exercise.
Amy White, head coach of Greensburg Aerials and gymnastics coordinator, loves the event.
“It brings all of the (YMCAs) together, and we never get to see the ones out east except for once a year. It’s nice to have them come over here and get the community together and put on a good event for the girls.”
Volunteers associated with the Greensburg team spent most of Friday night transforming the Westmoreland County Community College gym into a meet-friendly arena with a full concession stand.
The competition not only serves as a state championship, but as a fundraiser for the Greensburg Aerials. The team parent association is hosting a silent basket auction, the concession stand and a 50/50 raffle.
Proceeds from the competition will help fund new gym equipment, and help the Aerials continue annual team traditions such as their annual banquet and holiday party.
“This meet is actually our fundraiser for the year,” said Melissa Demorest, president of the team’s parents association. “This helps us get some new mats and equipment in the gym. We’re trying to update equipment as we go, so this will help us out a lot.”
With over 200 athletes competing throughout the weekend, the event kicked off at 8 a.m. Saturday with a “march-out” from 52 gymnasts who are part nine of the teams.
The first session began with girls competing at the four events. Once every team member completed their routines and received their personal scores, they moved as a group to their next scheduled event.
Sophia Demorest, a member of the Aerial team and a Saturday volunteer, was excited to compete for her seventh year.
“When I joined the Aerials, it really brought me a lot of friends,” Sophia Demorest said. “It’s like a second family. Everyone supports everyone, and the coaches are there for us whenever.”
The competition will continue into Sunday with two Xcel Gold sessions from 7:30 to 11 a.m. and noon to 4 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children per day. Entry is free for children 6 and under.
