BOONTON, N.J. (April 14, 2026) — North Stars Gymnastics Academy leads Region 7 with the greatest number of Level 10 national qualifiers, including two event champions who topped their fields at the regional competition.
The Morris County, N.J. gym has eight Level 10 athletes and three Level 9 competitors who earned qualification in Virginia Beach, Va. at last weekend’s regional meet encompassing state qualifiers from Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia.
In Level 10, there were 279 athletes who competed in 13 age groups from more than 80 clubs. Each age division had between 17 to 27 athletes compete, according to meetscoresonline.com.
For Level 9s, there were 324 gymnasts from more than 90 clubs. Each of the Level 9s 16 age groups had between 17 to 26 athletes compete.
The top seven all-around finishers and one alternate from each age group qualified to compete individually and as a team representing Region 7 nationally, against seven other regions in the U.S. Region 7 Gymnastics is the governing body of USAG gymnastics representing New Jersey and five other states. USAG is comprised of eight regions.
“Each of these exceptional athletes have trained consistently —for years — to reach this point in their careers,” said Ashley Umberger, owner and head coach North Stars Gymnastics Academy. “They are relentless in their pursuit to achieve their absolute best. I am so proud of their commitment, drive and work ethic. I am excited to watch them deliver at the national level.”
In addition to Umberger, a former two-time U.S.A. Women’s Gymnastics National Team member, the North Stars athletes are trained by coaches Melissa Jones, Crystal Doherty and professional dance coach, Miguel Solano of Complexions Ballet in New York.
The Level 10s will compete May 6-10 in the USAG Development Program 2026 National Championship in Oklahoma City. The top four all-around athletes from each age division will make up the USA Development Program National Team and receive an invitation to participate in a special training camp.
Ten is the maximum score gymnasts could receive for each event including balance beam, uneven bars, floor exercise and vault. All-around scores are comprised from all four events with 40 as the highest. Level 10 is the highest level for competitive gymnastics under USAG, other than elite.
North Stars Level 10 National qualifiers, all part of the North Stars Gymnastics Academy homeschool training program, include:
-Mariyah Aranbayev, 17, of Jamaica Estates (Queens, N.Y.) senior, two-time national qualifier, Rutgers University full athletic scholarship
-Sophia Betz, 13, East Hanover (Morris County) 7th grader, two-time national qualifier. First alternate for Region 7, who will be competing for another region.
-Maxine Cometa, 15, Leonia (Bergen County) sophomore, three-time national qualifier
Bars: 9.775, 1st place regional champion
-Stella Fischer, 16, Bridgewater (Somerset County) junior, three-time national qualifier
Floor: 9.775, 1st place regional champion
-Lexi Miller, 11, Montville (Morris County) sixth grader, first-time national qualifier
-Emma Roppatte, 17, of Essex Fells (Essex County) junior, two-time national qualifier
Arizona State University commit
-Teneil Turnbull, 15, Fairview (Bergen County) sophomore, three-time national qualifier
-Jamie McDonough, 17, Palisades Park (Bergen County) junior, first-time national qualifier
University of Alabama commit. McDonough will compete as an All-Star for uneven bars. Individual event qualifiers must place in the top four among all competitors in all age groups from Regionals, excluding those who qualified as all-around athletes.
-Maria Verrone, 14, Parsippany (Morris County) freshman, second alternate, 2025 national qualifier
In Level, 9, gymnasts will compete individually in their respective age groups and as part of the Region 7 National Team from April 30-May 3 at the USA Gymnastics Women’s Artistic Level 9 Eastern Championships held in Savannah, Georgia. Easterns consists of USAG Regions 5-8, representing 26 states in the Eastern part of the nation. The other half, Regions 1-4, will compete at Westerns the same weekend in Boise, Idaho.
North Stars Level 9 Eastern Championship first-time qualifiers include:
-Ingrid Kim, 11, New Hope (Bucks County, Pa.) sixth grader, Princeton Day School
-Mia Rogers, 12, Scarsdale (Westchester County, N.Y.) seventh grader, North Stars Gymnastics Academy homeschool program
Beam: 9.675, 1st place regional champion-Taylor Schlow, 13, Warren (Somerset County) eighth grader, North Stars Gymnastics Academy homeschool program
