:: USA Gymnastics :: Faces In The Gym

Faces In The Gym - March 2009

Hunter Furstenberg, age 9, is a Level 5 gymnast who trains at Eurostars Gymnastics, under the direction of her coaches Peter and Tania Gueorguiev. Hunter scored her 9.75 on floor getting her first place at the Circle of Stars in Indianapolis, Ind., as well as a 9.65 on her beam routine placing second at the Cereal City in Holland, Mich. Hunter was born 17 weeks early weighing only 2 pounds and was unresponsive for the first two minutes of her life. Her Apgar score was 0. Hunter has been a fighter ever since and is very dedicated to her sport.

Preslee Litzinger is a 9 year old, level 7 gymnast at LTD Academy in Duncansville, Pa. Preslee started gymnastics just two years ago when her mother and coach opened LTD Academy as co-owner. That season Preslee was the level 4 Pennsylvania State Champion in the 6-7 year age group. Preslee is really enjoying performing optional routines. When she is not at the gym, she enjoys playing the piano and drawing.

In his first year of gymnastics, Evan Carr, 11, is the Level 4 2008 Illinois State Champion in the 10 year old and up age division. Evan won 1st place in floor exercise (9.2), pommel horse (9.3), still rings (9.4), parallel bars (8.85), and high bar (8.9) and 6th place in vault (9.0) at the 2008 Illinois USA Gymnastics State Championships. His combined scores of 54.65 earned him the 1st place finish in All-Around and the state title. Evan trains as a member of the Southern Illinois Gymnastics Academy boys’ gymnastics team from Extreme Indoor Sports in Marion, Illinois.

Carrington Wilkes, from Golden Isles Gymnastics, is the 2008 State Champion for Georgia in Level 3. She was first in the all-around with a score of 37.90, first on Floor and first on Vault (9.8).

Ali House, 9, is a member of the Eagle Gymnastics Level 6 Team in Canandaigua, N.Y. She received a second perfect 10 on her beam routine at the Lucky Stars Invitational in Jamestown, N.Y. Ali was awarded her first perfect 10 on her beam routine the previous week at the Niagara Cup in Buffalo, N.Y. The competition in Jamestown featured approximately 700 gymnasts from New York State and Pennsylvania. Ali, who competed in the level 6 age 10-11 division, finished first on beam with her perfect score of 10; first place on vault with a 9.45; first on bars with a 9.45; and first on floor exercise with a 9.7. She captured the first place all-around trophy with a score of 38.6. Ali also had the second-highest all-around score for all levels and age divisions. Ali is a fourth grade student at Kelley School in Newark, N.Y.

Rachel Cooke, 11, earned a 9.95 on Beam at Great West Gym Fest in Couer d'Alene, Idaho in February, 2009. A Level 5 gymnast, Rachel placed first on Beam out of over 1,000 gymnasts at the meet. She also placed first in the All Around in her age group. Rachel trains with Coach Angie Jefferson at All American Gymnastics in Kennewick, WA.

Greta Hacker, 10, is a Level 4 gymnast. She just finished her meet season by winning second place on vault, fourth on beam and fifth on floor at the Emerald Classic in Cabot, Ark. Greta trains at Champions Gymnastics Paragould and is coached by Gary Hazelwood and Bill Grogan.

Meredith Daniel, 11, is a Level 7 gymnast. She finished off her season by winning the all-around with a score of 37.225 at her state meet in Huntsville, Ala., on March 28, 2009. She also won the bars (9.450), floor (9.325) and beam (9.225). She won several meets throughout the season . She will also be a part of the Level 7 Regional Team and compete in Atlanta, Ga. She is coached by Kendra Jackson and trains at Jasper Elite in Jasper, Ala. She is training to be a Level 8.

Would you like to be included in Faces In The Gym*?
Send a photo and a paragraph of information to:
USA Gymnastics
132 E. Washington St., Ste. 700
Indinapolis, IN 46204

Or email to publications@usa-gymnastics.org

Photos cannot be returned if mailed.
* Submissions may be used in USA Gymnastics magazine or here on usa-gymnastics.org