Flipstar Gymnastics athletes score high at Illinois tourney

February 24, 2026

Xcel Platinum: From left, Abby Dodson, Finley Watson, Grace Hasenbank

PERE MARQUETTE TOWNSHIP — Fourteen Flipstar Gymnastics gymnasts traveled to Illinois to compete in the Region 5 Insider Classic Invitational last weekend. It was the first out of state meet for the majority of the local gymnasts.

“They walked in the big venue with wide eyes and they did amazing,” said Coach Aimee Goff.

The athletes earned 55 medals with 42 being top-3 podium awards including 25 champions. Flipstar also took home First Place Platinum Team, with only three athletes (required to qualify as a team) beating out several other teams with many more participants.

Flipstar’s Xcel Platinum champion team had two gymnasts earn the All-Around Champion title. Both Abby Dodson and Grace Hasenbank earned the honor. Abby also earned the champion title on uneven bars and floor exercise as well as the champion runner-up title on balance beam. Grace earned all podium medals earning the balance beam champion title as well as third place medals on the remaining events. Finley Watson earned the all-around champion runner-up title in her age division. She also earned the vault champion title as well as second place on uneven bars and floor exercise. In the Ladies Division, Justine Lofton earned the champion title on all events and all-around.

Xcel Gold: Emma Burgess,left, and Braelynn Sanders

The Xcel Gold competitors each brought home at least one podium medal. Braelynn earned the champion runner-up title on balance beam as well as medals for sixth place on uneven bars for a sixth place all-around medal. Emma Burgess earned a third place podium medal on balance beam as well as medals for seventh on vault and eighth all-around. In the Ladies division, Lindsay Maynard earned the champion title on all events and all-around. Lindsay even successfully competed a new skill in her uneven bar routine.

Xcel Silver: Gretchen Reed, left, and Riley Flood

At the Xcel Silver level, Riley Flood earned the balance beam champion title. She also earned medals for fifth on vault and seventh all-around in a very tough age division. Gretchen Reed earned medals for sixth on floor exercise, seventh on uneven bars and eighth all-around. In the Ladies Division, Jenny Vega earned podium medals on all events. She earned the floor exercise champion title in addition to second place on the remaining events and all-around.

Xcel Bronze: From left, Hensley Chavalia, Weslynn Sanders, Emmalyn McDermott

At the Xcel Bronze level, Hensley Chavalia earned the champion title on uneven bars and floor exercise as well as third on vault and fourth on balance beam for an all-around champion runner-up title. Emmalyn McDermott earned a second place medal on balance beam as well as fourth on uneven bars for a fifth place all-around medal. Weslynn Sanders also earned a podium medal with a third place finish on balance beam. She also earned a sixth place all-around medal.

Boys 4×4: Simon Burgess

We had just one of our Boys 4×4 gymnasts compete in this meet. Simon Burgess earned the champion title on all events and all-around..

“We had multiple kids with extended family members who live in the greater Chicago area get to come and watch these kiddos compete,” said Coach Goff. “That warms our hearts. Bringing home all those medals and trophies is the icing on the cake.”