INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., May 11, 2015 – At both the 2015 Women’s Junior Olympic Level 9 Eastern and Western Championships this past weekend, 16 age-division champions were named, along with junior and senior team and super team champs. The Level 9 Eastern and Western Championships were the culmination of this year’s Junior Olympic Level 9 competitive season, and the Level 9 Eastern Championships were held at the Osceola Heritage Park Convention Center in Kissimmee, Fla., with the Western Championships at the Spokane (Wash.) Convention Center.

Level 9 Eastern Championships – Photo Gallery
Region 5 was the Super Team champion, and Regions 8 and 7 landed in second and third. The individual all-around champions from the Eastern Championships are listed below.

  • Junior and Senior 1: Katie Finnegan of GMGC Huntington, 37.950, junior; Alyssa Perez-Lugones of GGA – Lawrenceville, 38.050, senior
  • Junior and Senior 2: Grace King, AGA-Michigan, 37.525, junior; Cassidy Ryan of Connecticut Gymnastics, 37.850, senior
  • Junior and Senior 3: Olivia Queri of RGA, 37.825, junior; Francesca Lawal of Elite – Florida, 37.650, senior
  • Junior and Senior 4: Olivia Weir of Pancott, 37.725, junior; Miranda Morhineway of North Stars – New Jersey, 37.875, senior
  • Junior and Senior 5: Suki Pfister of Set 10, 38.000, junior; Allison Snyder of Perfection, 37.650, senior
  • Junior and Senior 6: Danielle Nosek of JPAC, 37.575, junior; Kenna Skepnek of IGI and Bailey LesPerance of Golden City, 37.225, senior
  • Junior and Senior 7: Brianna Greenlow of Gymnastix, 37.425, junior; Katlyn Turek of World Class – Virginia, 36.550, senior
  • Junior and Senior 8: Daija Stevenson of Carrollton, 37.575; Maia Curry of Mannettes, 37.300, senior

The Eastern Championships feature 16 age divisions, which were determined by birth date. The Eastern Championships included top gymnasts from Regions 5-8. The states that comprise each region are: Region 5 – Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio; Region 6 – Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont; Region 7 – Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia; and Region 8 – Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee.

Orlando Metro Gymnastics was the local club hosting the event. Local organizations helping stage the championships were the Central Florida Sports Commission, Experience Kissimmee and the Florida Sports Foundation.

Level 9 Western Championships
Region 1 was the Super Team champion, and Regions 3 and 4 landed in second and third, respectively. The individual all-around champions from the Eastern Championships are listed below.

  • Junior and Senior 1: Mya Lauzon of Metropolitan, 38.525, junior; Bianca Liberio of Arizona Sunrays, 38.050, senior
  • Junior and Senior 2: Amanda Zeng of Gym East, 37.975, junior; Donna Webster of Cascade Elite, 38.250, senior
  • Junior and Senior 3: Taylor Russon of San Mateo, 38.600, junior; Sara Taubman of Head Over Heels, 38.200
  • Junior and Senior 4: Logan Agcaoili of HITS, 38.075, junior; Caylin Smisek of Twin City Twisters, 37.725, senior
  • Junior and Senior 5: Natalie Reid of Cascade Elite, 38.025, junior; Kamber Mahaffey of Bart Conner, 37.800, senior
  • Junior and Senior 6: Emma Harbour of National Elite, 37.775, junior; Lauren Claus-Smith of California CGA, 37.750, senior
  • Junior and Senior 7: Emily Yang of Auburn, 37.850, junior; Tori Twiggs of Texas Dreams, 37.625, senior
  • Junior and Senior 8: Sierra Black of Metroplex, 37.675, junior; Aaliyah O’Connell of Iowa Gym-Nest, 37.825, senior

The Western Championships featured 16 age divisions, which were determined by birth date. The Level 9 Western Championships had the top gymnasts from Regions 1-4. The states that comprise each region are: Region 1 — Arizona, California, Nevada, Utah; Region 2 – Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington; Region 3 – Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, Wyoming; and Region 4 – Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin.
Spokane Gymnastics and the Spokane Sports Commission hosted the Level 9 Western Championships.

Both championships featured the top seven gymnasts in the all-around in each age division from the respective regional championships and had competition in 16 age divisions, which were determined by birth date. The Junior Olympic Eastern and Western Championships are two of USA Gymnastics’ championships events. Many Junior Olympians have gone on to make the U.S. National Team and represent the United States in international competition and/or to compete in collegiate gymnastics.