Champion Gymnastics sending trio to Level 10 Nationals - Big Ten next
HOLLAND TWP. - Champion Gymnastics in Holland is becoming a pipeline for the Big Ten.
With three current Big Ten gymnasts from the club, two more are headed to the same ranks next year.
Senior Cady Duplissis has committed to Michigan State and teammate Ashlyn Doyle is headed to Illinois.
Following Nicole Artz, who was an All-American at Michigan, and current Minnesota Big Ten champion Sara Moraw, that makes eight Big Ten gymnasts in the past decade from Champion, which doesn't include the slew of other NCAA Division I gymnasts to come out of Holland.
More: Minnesota's Sarah Moraw, West Ottawa graduate, claims Big Ten title on balance beam
Duplissis will join Champion teammates Stephanie and Genna Lebster at Michigan State.
"I visited and it was an eye-opening experience. I loved the culture of the team and they are obviously on the rise. I am really looking forward to being a part of that team," Duplissis said.
Doyle will be competing againsts her former teammates.
"I chose Illinois because when I walked on campus it felt like home. The coaches are all so supportive of me as a person and my gymnastics, and the team is super fun to be around," Doyle said.
But before they head to the Big Ten, Duplissis and Doyle will compete at Level 10 nationals in Daytona Beach, along with teammate Kendall Pinkelman.
At regionals, Duplissis won the all-around after taking second in the vault, bars and beam and fourth on the floor exercise.
"It all just kind of clicked at regionals. The beginning of the season was really rough for me (back injury), but each meet got better and better. At state I did really well, so I had the mindset of just doing it again," Duplissis said. "All of the hard work and dedication of this sports has led me to where I am now. It is nice to end where I want to be and move on from there.I just have to keep doing the same thing, it is just one more routine."
Doyle was second on vault and sixth in floor exercise to qualify.
"I was very happy to have vaulted well at regionals to make nationals. I’m looking forward to returning to nationals for the experience and memories with my coaches, teammates and Region 5," Doyle said. "As a senior it really means a lot to make nationals one final time again as it ends my last season with champion gymnastics and getting to represent region 5 one last time before going off to compete in college. I also am looking forward to watching and supporting my teammates as well."
Pinkelman was fifth on the balance beam and seventh on vault and earned national first alternate.
"It went pretty well. I started on floor and made my routine. On bars, I hadn't caught my release all season, and I got it. First alternate is really exciting since I am a first-year Level 10. I am really looking forward to the opportunity. My old gym told me Tami (Schaafsma) could get me where I needed to be. Her encouragement is the best. She pushes us to get there."
Contact sports editor Dan D’Addona at Dan.D’Addona@hollandsentinel.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @DanDAddona or Facebook @HollandSentinelSports.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Champion Gymnastics sending trio to Level 10 Nationals - Big Ten next
