The Iowa Xcel State competition this spring was a showcase of talent and dedication, with Team Flip Gymnastics from Ottumwa delivering a series of standout performances. The event, which awards medals to the top half of competitors in each level and age group, saw the team's gymnasts excel across multiple disciplines, demonstrating the strength of their training and spirit.
In the Bronze division, Team Flip established a formidable presence on the floor exercise. Allie Harris, Harper Probst, and Leah Nicholson each captured first-place finishes in the event, setting a high bar for the team. Harris further proved her all-around prowess with a second-place finish on bars, fifth on vault, and sixth in the all-around. Probst complemented her floor win with a third on bars, fourth all-around, and sixth on vault, while Nicholson secured second all-around, third on beam, and fourth on bars.
The team's depth in Bronze was on full display with strong showings from Zelda Eastep, who placed second in both vault and all-around, and Hannah Harris, who earned second on beam. Their collective results underscore the foundational strength of the program.
Moving to the Silver level, Ally VanZee emerged as a dominant force, seizing first-place finishes on beam, floor, and in the all-around, while adding a second on bars. Her teammates followed suit with impressive consistency. Harper Clubb claimed first on floor, and Ava 'Dubs' Wenke delivered second-place finishes on both bars and beam. Wrigley Moode, Emmy Ebert, Ruby Floden, and Teagan Orwig all contributed multiple top-eight finishes, highlighting the team's competitive depth across all apparatuses.
The Gold level competition featured Aria Probst leading the charge for Team Flip by posting the top all-around score for the team, alongside second-place finishes on bars and beam. Olivia 'Liv' Wenke and Carly Nicholson provided crucial support, each securing strong placements in the all-around and multiple events, showcasing the advanced skill within the team's ranks.
Team Flip's excellence extended to the highest levels of the competition. On the Diamond level, Alora Baxter earned a third-place finish on vault. In the Platinum division, both McKenna VanZee and Shameka Scott demonstrated top-tier power, each capturing a second-place finish on the vault. These performances at the state meet are a testament to the hard work and passion that define Team Flip Gymnastics, making their hometown of Ottumwa proud.