Sports Shorts

Aerials Gymnastics, located at 151 Industrial Way East in Eatontown, is starting off their USAG gymnastics season with an outstanding record. Their Level 5 and 7 girls team recently competed in two invitational gymnastics meets in southern New Jersey, placing second in both meets.

Although the teams are small in size, their success is largely due to the extensive attention that they receive from head coach Dave Kulha. Under his guidance, each gymnast is constantly reaching new personal bests.

At their first meet held at Airborne Gymnastics on Dec. 16, Cassidy Marquette of West Long Branch led the team to their success. Marquette finished first all-around in the 9-year-old division with an overall score of 34.65. She took first place on the uneven bars and second place on the vault, beam and floor events. Hannah Kelly of West Long Branch made a significant contribution to the day's victory by placing third in the all-around in the 10-year-old category, scoring a 9.0 on the uneven bars to earn second place, with an overall score of 34.175. Morgan Rue of Ocean had a first-place finish on beam and placed third in the all-around in her age group with an overall score of 32.75. Sydni McMahon of Neptune also had a great finish with a fourth-place in the all-around and two third-place finishes in both the beam and uneven bars.

On Jan. 5 the Level 5 team struck again with another impressive second-place team finish at the prestigious Cherry Bowl, held in Cherry Hill. Eleven teams from all over the state competed. Morgan Rue of Ocean shined that day, hitting four for four events, leading the team to their spectacular second-place finish. Rue placed second in the all-around with a 35.150. Her dazzling floor routine scored an 8.875, earning her a first-place finish. An impressive finish in the 10-year-old division came from Hannah Kelly, placing second on vault with an outstanding score of 9.0. In the 7- to 9-year-old division, Cassidy Marquette had two fourth-place finishes on beam and floor with an overall sixth-place finish at the meet. Sydni McMahon place ninth on floor and 14th overall.

Congratulations to Emily Powell of Rumson and Nasike Wandabwa of Holmdel, who had fantastic finishes for their first competition as Level 7s. Powell finished third on vault with a score of 9.50 and Wandabwa had solid showings in all four events.

Susan Sarafian-Gibson, owner of Aerials Gymnastics Inc., and head coach Dave Kulha were quick to point out that hard work and dedication brought the girls this far, and know the best is yet to come.