WISC Gymnastics Coach Galina Yordanova was at a loss for words when asked to describe the success of her program’s 2013-14 season, which concluded earlier this month.
A native of Bulgaria with more than 30 years of coaching and competition experience in the sport, Yordanova was pleased to report that eight of her athletes won state titles in either the Junior Olympics or Xcel Division.
“There are almost no words to describe the successful season that all of our girls in both programs had,” said Yordanova, in her third year heading WISC Gymnastics.
The JO division, which consists of 10 skill-based levels, is the most common program among athletes with a fierce dedication to the sport, many of whom spend anywhere from 15 to 20 hours a week in the gym.
The Xcel division is a new branch that, according to USA Gymnastics’ website, “is designed to offer a broad-based, affordable competitive experience outside the traditional Jr. Olympic Program to attract and retain a diverse group of athletes.”
At the Xcel state meet held earlier this month, Abigail Pacheco’s goal was to simply place in all-around in the bronze division, but she ended up taking first in addition to placing first in vault. She was WISC’s only athlete to win an all-around state title.
Also in the Xcel division, Kathryn Tomczak and Peyton Blanding each won two state titles: Tomczak won the vault and balance beam to take third all-around in the diamond division, and Blanding won the vault and uneven bars to place second all-around in the platinum division. Rylee Vinson took first in balance beam in the gold division.
WISC’s only athlete to capture a state title in the Jr. Olympics division was Chanel Hill, who won the Level 6 vault. A rundown of each athlete’s performance who placed is listed below.
Yordanova said the growing success is a direct correlation of the program’s growth in numbers in recent years.
When she moved to Williamsburg with her husband, Pavlin, to lead the program in 2012, there were 25 members of WISC Gymnastics. Now there are more than 100.
Additionally, Yordanova helped field a competitive trampoline and tumbling team consisting of boys and girls ages 5 to 12 in 2013 and was recently selected as one of 10 locations in the country to serve as a Trampoline Development Center by USA Gymnastics.
“It’s a very exciting time for us,” Yordanova said. “We’re thrilled to be growing as a family.”
Jamie Vinson, who has been a WISC gymnastics parent for five years, believes bringing the Yordanovas to the program three years ago is a major reason for the organization’s growth in recent years.
“It’s like they live in the gym,” Vinson said. “They are so dedicated to the sport and helping teach the girls. The program has aged so much under their direction.”
Xcel Division State Meet
Bronze Division
Abigail Pacheco: 1st All Around, 1st Vault, 2nd Floor
Silver Division
Charlotte Gravel: 2nd All Around, 2nd Vault, 2nd Uneven Bars
Gold Division
Kimberly King: 3rd All Around, 2nd Uneven Bars, 2nd Floor
Emma Wolfe: 3rd All Around, 3rd Uneven Bars
Cora Young: 3rd All Around, 2nd Vault
Rylee Vinson: 1st Balance Beam
Platinum Division
Peyton Blanding: 2nd All Around, 1st Vault, 1st Uneven Bars
Jennie Vervie: 4th All Around, 3rd Vault, 3rd Balance Beam
Diamond Division
Kathryn Tomczak: 3rd All Around, 1st Vault, 1st Balance Beam
Junior Olympics Division
Level 3
Meghan McNatt: 4th Balance Beam, 4th Floor Exercise
Gracie Gallagher: 3rd All Around, 4th Uneven Bars, 4th Balance Beam, 3rd Floor Exercise
Te’a Iverson: 5th All Around, 5th Uneven Bars, 2nd Balance Beam
Laurel Ho: 6th All Around, 3rd Vault, 3rd Floor Exercise
Level 4
Madison Toney: 5th All Around, 3rd Vault, 3rd Uneven Bars
Lauren Gilks: 2nd Vault
Zoe Wallace: 5th All Around, 3rd Vault
Carlie Lackey: 5th All Around, 5th Vault, 5th Balance Beam, 4th Floor Exercise
Level 5
Erin Alison: 3rd All Around, 5th Vault, 2nd Balance Beam, 6th Floor Exercise
McKenna Vischer: 6th All Around
Level 6
Chanel Hill: 1st Vault
Natalie Stauch: 3rd Vault, 3rd Uneven Bars
Emma Lobash: 4th Vault, 2nd Balance Beam, 5th Floor Exercise
Level 7
Mikayla VanHoose: 4th All Around, 5th Vault, 4th Uneven Bars
Jocelyn Covaney: 6th Vault, 5th Balance Beam, 3rd Floor Exercise
Alaina Godoy: 6th Balance Beam
Alexis Brender’A Brandis: 5th Vault, 3rd Floor Exercise
Savannah Hughes: 6th All Around, 6th Vault, 5th Balance Beam
Level 8
Desislava Yordanova: 5th All Around, 2nd Floor Exercise
