Cedar Creek Fourth-Grader Takes Second in Gymnastics Regionals

A fourth-grader from Cedar Creek Elementary School has taken second at a regional gymnastics competition.

Nicholas Balo, 10, competed on the pommel horse and still rings at the USA Gymnastics regional competition at Temple University on April 28. Balo previously took first place in both events at the USA Gymnastics New Jersey state competition in March at Colts Neck High School. 

Competing against gymnasts from New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia and Pennsylvania, Balo placed first on rings, first on pommel horse and second all around. He also placed second on high bar, third on vault, seventh on floor and tenth on parallel bars.

The top three region champions for the level six competition were all from Monmouth Gymnastics Academy in Morganville, New Jersey, where Balo trains under coach Yuriy Aminov in the 8-9 groups. Balo’s teammate came out ahead by just 2-tenths of a point for first.