By Rosa Cirianni (of Rose Writes Strategies)

BOONTON, N.J. (April 16, 2024) — The North Stars Gymnastics Academy takes great pride in announcing that it has 10 national qualifiers from its USAG National Women’s Development Program who will move onto the highest level of competitions for their designated levels.

Seven Level 10 gymnasts and three Level 9s from the Boonton, N.J.-based gym qualified at the USAG Region 7 Regionals held at the Virginia Beach Sports Center in Virginia Beach, Va. April 10-13. The gymnasts are trained by Head Team Coach Ashley Umberger, and Coaches Faith Baranowski, Heather Moroz, Shenice Martin, Melissa Jones and Brielle Benoski.

The USAG Gymnastics Women’s Program is comprised of eight regions in the U.S., representing all 50 states. Region 7 Gymnastics is the governing body of USAG gymnastics representing Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. 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, going up against the other seven regions in the nation. Ten is the top 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.

“Each of these athletes exemplify dedication, perseverance and an incredible work ethic that has led them toward achieving this incredible goal,” said Ashley Umberger, CEO, part owner and head coach North Stars Gymnastics Academy. “The number of athletes we have advancing to Level 10 Nationals and Level 9 Easterns is a testament to the strength of our training program.”

The Level 10s will compete in the USAG Development Program 2025 National Championship May 8-11 at the Mountain America Exposition Center in Sandy, Utah. 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. The event will be streamed live via a subscription service.

North Stars’ Level 10 National qualifiers include:

•   Maxine Cometa, 14, Leonia (Bergen County), Class of 2028, Jr. A

North Stars Gymnastics Academy homeschool program, freshman

North Stars Gymnastics Academy Homeschool Program, freshman

AA, 37.775, fourth place

Bars, 9.800, first place

• Stella Fischer, 15, Bridgewater (Somerset County) Class of 2027, Jr. D

North Stars Gymnastics Academy Homeschool Program, freshman

AA, 36.500, seventh place

Floor, 9.525, third place

Bars, 8.900, seventh place

• Leah Higgins, 14, Derry, New Hampshire, Class of 2029, Jr. B

North Stars Gymnastics Academy Homeschool Program, 8th grade 

AA, 37.225, fourth place

Floor, 9.625, third place

Vault, 9.675, fourth place

Bars, 8.850, seventh place tie

  • Sophia Rocca, 15, Blairstown (Warren County) Class of 2028, Jr. D 

North Stars Gymnastics Academy Homeschool Program, freshman 

AA, 37.000, fifth place 

Bars, 9.000, fourth place

*Beam, 9.725, first place

• Sh’Nai Thompson,17, Dunellen (Middlesex County) Class of 2025, Sr. C

North Stars Gymnastics Academy Homeschool Program and Dunellen High School, senior

AA, 36.075, seventh place 

Floor, 9.475, fourth place

Vault, 9.500, sixth place 

•  Teneil Turnbull, 14, Fairview (Bergen County), Class of 2028, Jr. B

North Stars Gymnastics Academy homeschool program, freshman

AA, 37.750, third place

Bars, 9.325, third place tie

Beam, 9.225, sixth place

Floor, 9.575, fourth place tie

Vault, 9.625, fifth place tie

•  Maria Verrone, 13, Parsippany (Morris County), Class of 2029, Jr. A

North Stars Gymnastics Academy homeschool program, eighth grade

AA, 37.200, fifth place

Bars, 9.000, seventh place tie

Beam, 9.425, seventh place 

In Level, 9, gymnasts will compete individually in their respective age groups and as part of the Region 7 National Team from May 1-4 at the USA Gymnastics Women’s Artistic Level 9 Eastern Championships held at the Kellogg Arena in Battle Creek, Michigan. 

Easterns consists of Regions 5, 6, 7 and 8 — representing 26 states in the Eastern part of the U.S. The other half, Regions 1, 2, 3 and 4, will compete at Westerns the same weekend in Fargo, North Dakota. 

North Stars’ Level 9 qualifiers for Easterns include:

• Lexi Miller, 10, Montville (Morris County) Jr. 1

North Stars Gymnastics Academy Homeschool Program, fifth grade

AA, 37.075, fifth place tie

Beam, 9.325, fourth place 

Bars, 9.350, seventh place 

Vault, 9.500, first place

• Aria Sanchez, 10, Boonton (Morris County) Jr. 1

North Stars Gymnastics Academy Homeschool Program, fifth grade

AA 37.075, fifth place tie

Beam, 9.275, sixth place tie

Floor, 9.600, fourth place

• Sydnee Williams, 15, Somerset (Somerset County) Class of 2027, Sr. 3

Franklin High School, sophomore

*AA, 38.175, first place 

Bars, 9.425, third place

Beam, 9.525, third place

Floor, 9.500, sixth place tie

*Vault, 9.725, first place tie

About North Stars: North Stars Gymnastics Academy has been a national training center in Morris County for 50 years with female gymnasts earning placements and awards at the national and international levels. It boasts medalists in USA Championships, Goodwill Games, Pan American Games, Pacific Alliance Championships and competitions in France, South Korea, England, Russia, Bulgaria, Colombia, U.S. Olympic Trials, and more. North Stars prides itself on its ability to train athletes to build the necessary skills to secure athletic and academic college scholarships. To learn more about North Stars, visit  https://www.northstarsgymnastics.com/.

Photo caption:

North Stars Gymnastics Academy Announces 10 National Qualifiers

North Stars Gymnastics Academy in Morris County has 10 female athletes who have qualified for national meets this year. In May, seven gymnasts will be competing at the Level 10 USAG Development Program 2025 National Championship in Utah. 

The Level 9s will compete at the USA Gymnastics Women’s Artistic Level 9 Eastern Championships in Michigan.

LEFT TO RIGHT 

Level 10 USAG Women’s Development Program National qualifiers 

Top row: Sh’Nai Thompson of Dunellen; Stella Fischer of Bridgewater, Maria Verrone of Parsippany; Leah Higgins of Derry, NH; Teneil Turnbull of Fairview; Maxine Cometa of Leonia; and Sophia Rocca of Blairstown.