Local Gymnasts Compete At Nationals, Two Qualify For Junior Olympics

Nine gymnasts went to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., recently representing Grant County Recreatoin Commission's gymnastics. Those who traveled to the compeition were: Sophie Richardson, gold level; Shi Chavez-Koehn, Silver level; Tehya Clymer, Silver; Leah Estrella, Silver; (not pictured) McKinley Braun, Silver; Eleanor Carter, Bronze; Primlee McMillan, Bronze; Draelyn Gaddis, Bronze; and Lexy Estrella, Copper.

Photo Courtesy GCRC

Lexy Estrella (photo above) finished her first year of being on the Grant County Recreation Commission gymnasts team competing at Nationals in Ft.Lauderdale, Fla. Her coach said she did a great job! Way to go Lexy!

Photo Courtesy GCRC

Posted Wednesday, July 16, 2025 10:56 am

Special to the Ulysses News

Meet Grant County gymnasts Sophie Richardson and Leah Estrella. At the end of June, both girls traveled to Fort Lauderdale, Florida where they competed against gymnastss from all over the United States at AAU Gymnastics Nationals. Together Sophie and Leah became the first two people in the history of Grant County Gymnastics to qualify for a spot on the AAU Gymnastics Junior Olympic team.

Competing at the Gold Level, Sophie became an AAU Nationals Champion with a first place victory on bars, and a winning overall score of 38.050 (as well as second place on both beam and floor).

Competing at the Silver Level, Leah became an AAU Nationals Champion with a nearly per-fect beam routine that scored her a 9.8 and third place for that event.

At the end of July, Leah and Sophie will travel with their coach, Stephanie Carter, to Houston, Texas where they will again join gymnasts from all over the country and compete against the sport’s best of the best youths for gold, silver, and bronze medals at the AAU Junior Olympics.

Wish them luck.