Niagara Cup to be held this weekend

The Niagara Cup, in its 26th year, provides gymnastics enthusiasts with high quality competition, the only meet in New York with a finals session, and a beautiful facility with great seating.

Over 700 gymnasts representing 25 teams, plus coaches, judges, families and friends, from all across the US and Canada attend this event.

The meet, held March 9-11, is estimated to bring 2,500 people to Buffalo and inject over a quarter million dollars into the local economy.

The meet is hosted by the Niagara Gymnastics Teams from Gleason's School of Gymnastics in Wheatfield and will be held at Canisius College's Koessler Athletic Center, 2001 Main Street, Buffalo.

The meet director, coach, and school owner, Larry Goldsmith, attributes the success of the meet to dedication and commitment of excellence of the gymnasts, coaches, judges, parents, and staff.

The gymnasts, ages 7 to 18, perform in all four events: vault, uneven parallel bars, balance beam, and floor exercise.

Levels 4 to 6 are required to perform compulsory routines while the more advanced gymnasts in levels 7 to 10/elite have original routines. The Saturday evening session or finals features the top ten gymnasts in Levels 9, 10, and elite competing again, for individual placement on the four events. This competition features the best female gymnasts in the Northeast.

Level 8 opens competition at 8:30 a.m. on March 9 followed by Level 9 at 1 p.m. and Level 9 and 10/Elite at 5 p.m. On Saturday, March 10, Level 6/7 will compete at 8:30 a.m. followed by Level 6/7 at 1 p.m. The finals are at 7 p.m. On Sunday, Level 5 will be competing at 8:30 a.m. and Level 4 at 12:30 p.m.

Tickets are available at the door and are $8 for adults ($10 for finals) and $5 for children.