Gator Gymnastics hosts internal meet

HACKETTSTOWN — The Sparta and Hackettstown locations of Giant Gymnastics have sgtarted their season with a sister meet, this time in Hackettstown.

The Gator Bowl has become a tradition the gymnasts look forward to. This meet is different from any other meet they compete in all year, as the gymnasts walk away with no medals. They come from that meet with the judges' feedback.

This year, the meet also marked as the debut of both Sparta and Hackettstown’s Gators in the USA Gymnastics Xcel league.

With the growth of USA Gymnastics’ Xcel league in New Jersey, Giant Gymnastics owners Jennifer and John Skorski decided to open up the meet to any other interested gyms in the area, and Randolph Gymnastics answered the call. Since Xcel works within the USA Gymnastics domain, the meet had both Xcel and USAG gymnasts competing.

Sparta’s Garden Gators includes 3 Bronze level gymnasts, two of whom were competing for the first time. Fiona Postas of Franklin was moved from pre-team to a full-fledged Gator last spring. This first competition for her was something she had been looking forward to for months.

“At the beginning of the meet I was scared, but then I turned and saw everyone watching me, and that made me feel better,” said Postas, 9. “They were there cheering me on. And after my floor routine, Coach Carly gave me a high five.”

The rest of the returning team boasts six silver, seven gold and one platinum level.

Dara DePaolo of Wantage, as the most experienced gymnast on the team, debuted new skills for every event for her move to Platinum in the USAG Xcel league.

“I was nervous for the new level, but since the Xcel is run by USAG, I felt less nervous,” DePaolo said. “I knew what the judges were looking for. And I like that the judges gave us the opportunity to hear what to fix. Especially since they will be the ones at future meets.”

DePaolo also debuted a host of new skills.

“I was really nervous for my new balance beam routine. But my vault is a Yurchenco and I wasn’t nervous for that at all.”

On the Uneven Bars, DePaolo successfully unveiled a new routine which included two Giants — a full swing in a handstand position around the high bar.

“It was also the first time my sister Jadyn was in the same group and session as I was," she said. "It helped boost my confidence, and the whole team was cheering each other on more than ever.”

For more information about the Gator’s 2015 season, or classes and special events at Giant Gymnastics, visit them online at www.GiantGymnastics.com or call 973-579-9400.