Emma Manea, Olivia Phelan, Samantha Greenhut and Nikki Capriotti spend a lot of time together practicing routines and doing workouts at the Rockland Gymnastics Academy each week. But that did not stop them from spending part of their weekend cheering each other on at the Level 5 New York State Championships. Their support for one another benefited all of them because individually each won several medals at the event in Florida, NY.
Eight-year-old Emma won First Place All Around Winner, First Place Beam, First Place Floor, Fourth Place Bars and Fourth Place Vault. 10-year-old Olivia won First Place All Around for 10 years olds and First Place for Beam, Bars and Vault.
Eight-year-old Samantha won Second All Around for her age group, and First Place Floor, Second Place Vault, Fourth Bars and Fifth Place Beams. Eight-year-old Nikki earned Second All Around for her age group and Second Place Bars, Fifth Place Vault and Seventh Place Floor.
The four had equally enthusiastic responses to their wins.
“Awesome,” said Olivia.
“So excited,” said Emma.
Samantha exclaimed, “Really, really excited.”
Nikki said, “I was very happy with my scores.”
The girls, who train with Coaches Edgar Hatch and Anna Vasilevsky at the Nanuet facility, enter competitions once a month, typically spending three or four hours at the event.
On Saturday, Nikki, Emma and Samantha competed and on Sunday it was Olivia’s turn at the Level 5 contest.
New City resident Olivia has been taking classes for just a year but has a favorite event. “Bars because I love to swing,” she said.
Samantha of Airmont said she favors floor since “I love flipping and tumbling.”
Emma, who lives in Bardonia, said, “My favorite event is the beam.”
Nikki, also from New City, shared, “Vault because I like running and jumping on the springboard.”
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