9 New Jersey Gymnastics Center Competitors Named National Medalists

Press release from the North Stars Gymnastics Academy:

BOONTON, N.J. (June 23, 2022) — The North Stars Gymnastics Academy announces nine USA Women’s Development Program gymnasts who ranked in the Top 10 as national medalists -- with three placing in the top three in the all-around in their respective age groups.

“We applaud our gymnasts for their grit and perseverance in an ultra- competitive national field,” said Ashley Umberger, owner and head coach at North Stars Gymnastics Academy in Boonton, N.J. (Morris County). “I am excited about the possibilities for these talented female athletes and grateful to lead them toward a promising future.”

THIRD PLACE All-Around Level 10 National Medalist:
Amani Herring, 18, Denville, Class of 2022
Penn State University Gymnastics commit
Beam: 9.550, 2nd place
Floor: 9.775, 4th place
Vault: 9.700, 5th place
AA: 38.500, 3rd place

Other Level 10 National Medalists Include:
Olivia Kelly, 15, Mahwah, Class of 2024
Member of the Barbados National Gymnastics Team
Beam: 9.600, 3rd place
Floor: 9.650, 5th place

Olivia Orlando, 18, Randolph, Class of 2022
Southern Utah University Gymnastics commit
Bars: 9.600, 9th place tie

THIRD PLACE All-Around Level 9 Eastern National Medalist:
Alexa Ciliotta, 15, Montville, Class of 2025
Bars: 9.7, 1st place
Beam: 9.475, 3rd place
Vault: 9.650, 3rd place
AA: 37.725, 3rd place all-around champion

THIRD PLACE All-Around Level 9 Eastern National Medalist:
Alessia Rosa, 12, East Hanover, Class of 2028
Bars: 9.225, 5th place
Beam: 9.225, 9th place
Vault: 9.375, 10th place
AA: 37.4250, 3rd place all-around

Other North Stars’ Level 9 Eastern National Medalists Finishing in the Top 10:
Stella Fischer, 12, Bridgewater, Class of 2027
Bars: 9.575, 3rd place
Beam: 9.475, 2nd place
AA: 36.8750, 8th place tie all-around

Giorgia Carroll, 16, Warren, Class of 2024
Beam: 9.075, 9th place
Floor: 9.425, 6th place
Vault: 9.500, 5th place
AA: 36.650, 9th all-around

Jessica Schmitz, 16, Wayne, Class of 2024
Vault: 9.7, 2nd place
Bars: 9.275, 9th place

Sh’Nai Thompson, 14, Dunellen, Class of 2025
Vault: 9.675, 2nd place
Floor: 9.450, 9th place tie

Background:
USAG’s Optionals Division begins at Level 6 and maxes out at Level 10. Only those who train and qualify at Elite competitions rank higher.

North Stars had 15 gymnasts qualify for nationals this year, the most of any gymnastics center in the Garden State and the greatest among their Region 7 Gymnastics peer clubs representing six states including Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. USAG Gymnastics is comprised of eight regions throughout the nation. Many of the girls are homeschooled as part of the North Stars program, while others attend traditional schools.

The top seven all-around winners at the Level 9 Regionals Championship competed individually in their age divisions and as part of the Region 7 National Team at the 2022 USA Gymnastics Women's Development Program Level 9 Eastern Championships at Nazareth College in Rochester, N.Y. in May with Regions 5-8 competing, which encompassed 26 states. Regions 1-4 competed in Westerns .

In Level 10, the top seven all-around finishers from each age group from the Regional 7 competed in the Level 10 2022 USA Gymnastics Women’s Development Program National Championships in Mesa, Ariz. in May against all eight official USAG regions in the United States.

The Region 7 Level 9 national team also won “Super Team” status at Easterns.

North Stars Gymnastics Academy has been a powerhouse national training center in Morris County for more than 35 years with athletes 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, Jamaica, Columbia, 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.