BOONTON, N.J. (Morris County) — North Stars Gymnastics Academy delivered another strong showing at the New Jersey State Championships, with its Level 10 team finishing third and its Level 9 team capturing the state title.
Competing at Indigo Gymnastics in New Providence, the Morris County-based club extended its streak to 15 consecutive podium finishes at the statewide meet, which is sanctioned by the USA Gymnastics New Jersey chapter.
North Stars’ Level 10 team posted a score of 114.875 to place third out of 19 clubs, while its Level 9 team earned first place with a score of 112.475 against a field of 23 teams.
“Our athletes each gave an outstanding effort and delivered impressive performances at the State Championship this year,” said Ashley Umberger, North Stars head team coach and club owner. “The pipeline for talent at our club is deep and our legacy of producing NCAA athletes at the highest levels and elites is known throughout the country.”
A total of 69 athletes competed in Level 10 and 95 in Level 9 at the meet. All North Stars competitors qualified for Region 7 Regionals, which includes top gymnasts from New Jersey and five other states.
Among the Level 10 standout performances, Lexi Miller, 11, of Montville, recorded a 9.525 on bars for first place, tied for first on floor with a 9.500 and placed third all-around with a 37.225. Teneil Turnbull, 15, of Fairview, earned a 9.750 on vault for a second-place tie, along with second-place finishes on bars (9.400) and floor (9.650).
In the senior division, Mariyah Aranbayev, 17, of Jamaica Estates, New York, placed second on vault with a 9.825 and finished second all-around with a 38.225. Olivia Codey, 17, of Essex Fells, took second on floor with a 9.625 and third all-around with a 37.575. Jamie McDonough, 17, of Palisades Park, placed third on bars with a 9.550, while Emma Roppatte, 17, of Essex Fells, finished third on vault with a 9.675.
Other Level 10 team members included Sophia Betz, 13, of East Hanover; Maxine Cometa, 15, of Leonia; Stella Fischer, 16, of Bridgewater; Aria Sanchez, 11, of Boonton; Maria Verrone, 14, of Parsippany; and Sydnee Williams, 16, of Somerset.
The Level 9 team was led by several top finishes, including Charlotte DeSantis, 13, of Denville, who placed second on vault with a 9.800 and tied for third on bars with a 9.450. Taylor Schlow, 13, of Warren, placed third on vault with a 9.775, second on bars with a 9.550 and third all-around with a 37.375. Mia Rogers, 12, of Scarsdale, New York, earned a 9.450 on beam for second place and a 9.550 on floor.
Other Level 9 team members included Ingrid Kim, 11, of New Hope, Pennsylvania, and Cleary Vinyard, 13, of East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania.
Level 10 athletes will compete at Region 7 Regionals from April 9-12 in Virginia Beach, Virginia, with top finishers advancing to the national championships in Oklahoma City in May. Level 9 athletes will compete at the Eastern Championships from April 30 to May 3 in Savannah, Georgia.
To learn more about North Stars, visit https://www.northstarsgymnastics.com/.
