Gymnasts compete at regionals

Five members from the Greater Buffalo Gymnastics Center recently represented Western New York at the region seven Junior Olympic boys championships in Allentown, Penn.

The two-day meet consisted of level 5 and level 6 compulsory gymnasts from Delaware, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, Virginia and West Virginia. Since there is no national meet, this is the farthest any gymnast at these levels can advance. Gymnasts must obtain an all-around qualifying score to be invited.

Competing in level 5, Tonawanda's Elliot Wittenberg was one of three Greater Buffalo gymnasts to medal in an event, placing eighth in vault.

Older brother Alex Wittenberg, a level 6 gymnast, scored a 9.50 performing a front handspring vault which secured seventh place. Alex Wittenberg also made the podium with an almost flawless parallel bar routine (9.30).

Joey Chearmonte of East Amherst, competing in the 12 and up level 5 category, walked away with a spectacular fifth place finish on vault by executing a sky high front summersault to a near perfect landing.

Ian Emerick of Pendleton, a first-year level 6 competitor, came up big in the meet with scores of 9.30 on vault and 8.60 on parallel bars. Justin Sullivan also shined at the competition by scoring a season high of 8.50 on the parallel bar event.

All of the gymnasts train at the Greater Buffalo Gymnastic & Fitness Center on North French Road. They are coached by Scott McKee, Judd Penetrante, TJ Hirsch and Kevin Reynard.