BOONTON, N.J. (May 19, 2026) —North Stars Gymnastics Academy capped another successful Level 10 season with a national champion, multiple podium finishes and several top 10 results at the 2026 USA Gymnastics Development Program National Championships in Oklahoma City. The program also showed a strong performance at the Level 9 Eastern Championships, earning several podium finishes against top competition from across the eastern U.S.
The Development Program National Championships represent the highest level of competition for Level 10 gymnasts in USA Gymnastics, bringing together qualifiers from all eight regions after advancing through state and regional championships. Representing Region 7, North Stars Gymnastics Academy sent one of the nation’s largest qualifying Level 10 groups to nationals after leading the region in qualifiers this season.
From Level 10:
Emma Roppatte, 17, from Essex Fells, captured a national title on balance beam with a 9.700, tying for first place in her age division. Roppatte also scored a 9.600 on uneven bars and finished tied for 26th in the all-around with a 37.525. Roppatte is an Arizona State University verbal commit.
Maxine Cometa, 15, of Leonia, earned a runner-up national title finish on uneven bars with a 9.825, one of the highest scores recorded by a North Stars gymnast at the meet. Cometa also placed 22nd all-around with a 37.350.
Teneil Turnbull, 15, of Fairview, delivered one of the strongest all-around finishes for the program, placing 15th nationally with a 37.775 while also tying for ninth on floor exercise with a 9.575.
Lexi Miller, 12, of Montville, added another top 10 national finish for North Stars, tying for eighth on floor exercise with a 9.525 and tying for 12th on balance beam.
Senior Mariyah Aranbayev, 17, from Jamaica Estates, Queens, N.Y., wrapped up her club career with a ninth-place tie on vault after scoring a 9.775. She also finished 14th on beam and 34th in the all-around. Aranbayev will continue her gymnastics career this fall at Rutgers University on a full athletic scholarship.
Stella Fischer, 16, of Bridgewater, posted consistent performances across all four events, highlighted by a tie for 15th on balance beam, to finish 27th in the all-around with a 37.425.
Sophia Betz, 13, of East Hanover, also represented North Stars on the national stage, competing against one of the deepest Level 10 fields in the country and finishing with a 36.300 all-around score.
Jamie McDonough competed in the All-Star division, which features additional top athletes from across the country who narrowly missed traditional national qualification. McDonough earned a 9th place finish on uneven bars with a 9.575. She is verbally committed to the University of Alabama.
“Our athletes competed with confidence and composure on the biggest stage of the Level 10 season,” said North Stars Owner and Head Coach Ashley Umberger. “To qualify this many gymnasts to nationals is already an incredible accomplishment, but to come home with national champions, podium finishes and so many top-15 placements shows the depth of talent and work ethic in our program.”
North Stars athletes also showed strong performances at the Level 9 Eastern Championships in Savannah, Georgia.
Taylor Schlow, 13, from Warren, captured a share of the Eastern Championship title on uneven bars with a 9.525 while also placing fourth on vault with a 9.625 and ninth in the all-around with a 37.000.
Ingrid Kim, 11, from New Hope, Pa, placed fourth on uneven bars with a 9.425 and finished 11th in the all-around with a 36.875.
Mia Rogers, 12, from Scarsdale, N.Y., delivered one of the team’s top overall performances, earning third place on balance beam with a 9.575, sixth on floor exercise with a 9.375 and seventh in the all-around with a 37.075.
Eastern Championships consists of Regions 5-8 and is the highest competition that Level 9 gymnasts from 26 states in the eastern part of the United States can reach. Gymnasts from the four other USAG regions competed at the Western Championship in Boise, Idaho.
“They each embraced the moment in high-pressure environments, trusted their training and competed with great maturity. It’s an exciting future for our program,” added Umberger.
In addition to Umberger, a former two-time U.S. Women’s Gymnastics National Team member, the North Stars athletes, also are trained by coaches Melissa Jones, Crystal Doherty, and professional dance coach Miguel Solano of Complexions Ballet in New York City.
