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Skills clinic readies gymnasts

| 22 Aug 2017 | 11:44
    From left starting in back row are gymnasts Samantha Copley (11), Adrianna Barone (11), Alexandra Ingoglia (9), Sabrina Dispenziere (11), Rebecca Lange (11), Lexy Corbett (10), Hailey Jenkins (6), Elizabeth Byra (10), Kayla Walton (17), Nina Scaffidi (6) and Sophia Penza (10) pose for a portrait during a break. Photos by George leroy Hunter
    From left starting in back row are gymnasts Samantha Copley (11), Adrianna Barone (11), Alexandra Ingoglia (9), Sabrina Dispenziere (11), Rebecca Lange (11), Lexy Corbett (10), Hailey Jenkins (6), Elizabeth Byra (10), Kayla Walton (17), Nina Scaffidi (6) and Sophia Penza (10) pose for a portrait during a break. Photos by George leroy Hunter
    Gymnast Rebecca Lange (11) does a hand stand during a floor routine.
    Gymnast Rebecca Lange (11) does a hand stand during a floor routine.
    Six year old gymnast Nina Scaffidi of Hammonton, New Jersey is focused on her routine. Scaffidi began gymnastics at age three and recently began competing.
    Six year old gymnast Nina Scaffidi of Hammonton, New Jersey is focused on her routine. Scaffidi began gymnastics at age three and recently began competing.
    Six year old Hailey Jenkins performs on the uneven bars.
    Six year old Hailey Jenkins performs on the uneven bars.
    Kayla Walton (17) leaps above the balance beam.
    Kayla Walton (17) leaps above the balance beam.
    Westys gymnast Samie Copley begins a drill. Copley, age 11, from Vernon, earned two regional championship titles earlier this year.
    Westys gymnast Samie Copley begins a drill. Copley, age 11, from Vernon, earned two regional championship titles earlier this year.
    Eleven year old Westys gymnast Adrianna Barone in the midst of a floor routine. Barone is a resident of Stockholm, New Jersey.
    Eleven year old Westys gymnast Adrianna Barone in the midst of a floor routine. Barone is a resident of Stockholm, New Jersey.

By George Leroy Hunter
FRANKLIN — Westys Gymnastics hosted its Sixth Annual Skills Clinic on August 11 and 12, 2017. An assortment of gymnasts from elementary school age to high school age attended to improve their skills at the Franklin Borough facility.
Athletes from the tri-state area trained together and were coached by professional instructors and judges. Westys founder and former gymnast Danielle Oehrlich kept a watchful eye on everything and occasionally stepped in to work with the athletes.
Several regional champions were in attendance. Westys gymnast Samie Copley, age 11, from Vernon, earned two regional championship titles earlier this year. Copley's teammate Lexi Ingoglia, age 9, from Lake Hopatcong earned the top title of 9-year-old Bronze Level All Around Regional Champion recently.
Polishing routines and improving ones conditioning in time for the upcoming competition season is a priority.
Olympic grade apparatus such as the trampoline, uneven bars and the balance beam were utilized. Floor routines were practiced to perfection.
An in-shape body is important. But timing, hand and eye coordination and a good dose of confidence are needed to go along with strong physicality in the sport of gymnastics.
Gymnasts practiced for several hours each day. They were put through the paces in rotating drills. Each drill focused on a specific skill exercise such as tumbling, cartwheels, turns, dismounts, kips and the like.
Westys owner Danielle Oehrlich said: “Our camp is for gymnasts in the tri-state area. We train the athletes to prepare them for a successful season. We have regional, state and national champions training here. They have a high level of coaching available to them during camp. The gymnasts who attend also get a chance to get to know each other. We group them by age and ability and have them involved in designed skills routines.”
In the sport of gymnastics athletes compete as individuals as well as part of a team. Even though the camp gymnasts were from other teams as well as Westys, they all were there for the same reason and that was to become better athletes.
The Westys Gymnastics team will be competing locally and traveling to other parts of the country during competition season. The team has a roster of talented athletes but is always on the lookout for new gymnasts.
Information about programs at Westys Gymnastics and it's season schedule can be found online at http://www.westysgym.us/ The facility is also available to hosts special events such as birthday parties.
Females represent the lion’s share of gymnasts but there are many males who compete as well. Males interested in gymnastics are also welcome at Westys Gymnastics. Gymnastics is a tough sport to compete in but can be rewarding. It can lead to different career paths such as being a stunt person in film and television, performing in the circus and for a select few a chance to compete at the international level and on the Olympic stage.