Twenty-three athletes from the Mid- America Acro & Tumbling team traveled to Des Moines, Iowa from July 25 - 31, to compete at the USA Gymnastics National Championships in Acrobatic Gymnastics. They had three days of training before events began on July 28.

MAATT team members (from top to bottom) Kaley Brandt, Kaylyn Nowack and Leah Bohl perform their routine in the Level 9 Women’s Group for athletes ages 15-16 at the USA Gymnastics National Championships in Des Moines, Iowa.

Results for MAATT team members were as follows:

Kaylyn Nowack, daughter of Bill and Noreen Nowack of Owensville; Leah Bohl, daughter of Jeff & Rhonda Bohl of Rosebud, and Kaley Brandt daughter of Kyle and Diana Brandt of Owensville received the silver after performing two very strong dynamic and balance routines in the Level 9 Women’s group for ages 15-16. They were also named as alternates to the Junior Olympic National Team.

Kayla Vance, daughter of Norman & Ruth Vance of Hermann, Meghan Steineker, daughter of Kevin and Kay Steineker of Gerald, and Kelsey Irwin, daughter of Carrie and Ryan Okenfuss and Shawn Irwin of Owensville competed very well receiving eighth in a very fierce competition in Level 8 Women’s group for ages 17 and up.

Rochelle Belloir, daughter of Ron and Nan Belloir of Owensville and Karlee Wright daughter of Ardel and Melissa Wright of Owensville had a disappointing dynamic routine, but came back with a very nice balance routine to place sixth in the Level 8 Women’s Pair for ages 15-16.

Kyli Pruitt, daughter of Carrie Pruitt of Owensville; Olivia Bunton, daughter of Terry and Raquel Bunton of Owensville took home the bronze medal in the Level 7 Women’s Pair for ages 12-14.

Abby Warden, daughter of Dennis and Connie Warden and Denver Vaughn, daughter of Greg and Ricki Vaughn of Gerald also placed seventh in the same division.

“I was very happy with both pairs who performed strong routines against a tough competition,” MAATT coach Mindi Katsov said.

Danny Farley III, son of Teresa Logan of Owensville and Danny Farley competed a very nice routine and took home the gold in the Level 6 Mixed Pair for ages 17 and above.

The trio of Courtney Hiatt, daughter of Kelly and Tracy Hiatt of Gerald; Bailey Blankenship, daughter of RaeLynn and Justin Blankenship of Sullivan; and Hannah Levin, daughter of Larry and Becky Levin of Owensville had so many in their age group they had to go through a preliminary competition. In prelims they performed a beautiful routine placing fourth and ended up in sixth at the finals in the Level 6 Women’s Group for ages 12-14

Anna Massey daughter of Lori Decker and John Massey; Abigail Gerlemann daughter of Rick and Jennifer Gerlemann of Owensville received 12th in the preliminary competition in the Level 6 Women’s Pair for ages 12-14.

Slater Heet, son of Wayne and Valerie Heet and Adriene Aubuchon, daughter of Dale and Amy Aubuchon won the gold medal in the Level 5 Mixed Pair for ages 11 and under.

Hunter Steineker, son of Kevin and Kay Steineker of Owensville and Abbey Okenfuss daughter of Carrie and Ryan Okenfuss of Owensville took home the silver medal in the same division.

“Both pairs performed their best routines of the season,” Katsov said.

MAATT athletes left nationals very excited and ready to start a new and exciting season for 2009.  MAATT classes resume Wednesday, Sept. 3. Registration will be held Wednesday, Aug. 27 and Thursday, Aug. 28, at the MAATT gym from 4:30-7:30 p.m. Call (573) 437-8326 for more information.