Westy's Gym to host State Championship Competition

FRANKLIN — After 20 years in business, Westy's Gymnastics' owner Danielle Oehrlcih will celebrate this milestone with a major event. They have been given the honor of hosting the 2015 USAIGC State Championship Competition for the Bronze and Silver levels from May 1 to 3.

The opportunity to host the championship tournament is an honor and Oehrlcih was quick to embrace the opportunity to do so.

"The league has just grown so large," she explained. "If we went to states we would have to go all the way to south Jersey so I tried to find out if anyone was interested in coming out to it."

Working with Christine Deskovic, who is running the tournament down in Wildwood, the two were able to bring the competition to the Sparta.

"We have about 600 athletes from the area so we had to have it at the (Sparta Athletic Club) in order to have a large enough venue for everyone," Oehrlcih said.

All are welcome to attend and watch the competition which will offer some of the best athletes in the area.

"There are a variety of ability levels and age groups competing," Oehrlcih said. "We have bronze and silver athletes competing and this is the peak of their seasons so they are trying to qualify for nationals in Palm Springs and Daytona."

A portion of the proceeds from this event will be donated to a charitable organization in support of Muscular Dystrophy.

Westy's Gymnastics"I went to Montclair State University and got my physical education degree," she said. "I started to work for my old gym and that was great but then I saw the opportunity so I started the gym in Sparta. I was there for quite some time and then built my gym and moved to Franklin."

Westys has a variety of programs available for children of all ages and skill levels. Classes run once per week and include cheer and tumble classes, ninja warrior classes for the boys, and both recreational and competitive gymnastics programs.

They also offers a variety of different competitive team programs that train year round including the USAIGC international competition league.

"We will be doing try outs for our teams soon," she explained. "For those interested they can call the gym for details. We do also have a state champion here at Westys, Sarah Philback."

For those interested in attending the championship tournament, admission is $15 for adults $10 for children.

Westys Gymnastics is located at 18 Park Drive in Franklin and can be reached at 973-209-1552 or www.westysgym.us.

The Sparta Athletic Club is located at 115 Sparta Avenue in Sparta.