Islands YMCA Gymnasts Soar to Victories at Georgia State Championship

The Islands YMCA Gymnastics Team at the USA Gymnastics Georgia State Championship in Roswell, Ga. (L-R): Coach Carol Tanrath. Gymnasts Kennedy Lipski, Makenzie Jones, Willow Christenberry, Donna Jones, Leah Hoffman, Catherine Roble, and Hayden Attia. Coaches Lauren Olsen, Charlotte Boatright.


The Islands YMCA Gymnastics Team recently showcased their skills and brought home accolades (along with a championship banner) at the USA Gymnastics Georgia State Championship in Roswell. The competition, held from Dec. 9-10, drew 266 gymnasts from across the state, competing in Levels 1, 4, and Xcel Bronze.

Guided by coaches Lauren Olsen, Charlotte Boatright, Carol Tanrath, and Rylie Tanrath, the gymnasts competed at the state level in a competition that demanded nothing short of excellence.

Coach Olsen expressed pride in the team’s performance, stating, “Our athletes displayed a level of dedication and passion that truly set them apart. Not only is this group hard working, but they also demonstrate many of the characteristics we encourage in the gym. This victory is a testament to their hard work and the unwavering support of their families and the YMCA community in Savannah and Coastal Georgia.”

The athletes, having qualified in prior USA Gymnastics competitions, included seven gymnasts from Islands YMCA representing Level 1: Hayden Attia, Willow Christenberry, Makenzie Jones, Donna Jones, Catherine Roble, Leah Hoffman, and Kennedy Lipski. Hazel Hanno competed in level 4 competition.

In total, the team secured a remarkable 26 medals across different levels, culminating in the ultimate accolade – the first-place Georgia State Championship banner. This triumph not only solidifies the Islands YMCA Team’s standing as a powerhouse in gymnastics but also underscores the resilience, skill, and camaraderie that define this exceptional group of athletes.

Among the standout performances, three gymnasts clinched State Champion titles in various events:

Hayden Attia won in vault, floor, and all-around categories. Makenzie Jones secured a title in vault. Willow Christenberry won on uneven parallel bars. And Donna Jones won on balance beam.

About the Islands YMCA Gymnastics Program:

The Islands YMCA Gymnastics Team is based at the Islands Family YMCA on Wilmington Island in Savannah. The award-winning team produces gymnasts who are competitive in USAG Xcel, USAG state, USAG regional and YMCA national levels.  Many athletes have reached the college level and received college scholarships through the program.

Class information for potential gymnasts is available at ymcaofcoastalga.org. Class participants who demonstrate specific skill sets will be asked to try out for the team program. If there is availability in levels, tryouts are held in late spring of each year. Gymnasts progress from USAG level 1 through level 10.  All team levels are asked to compete, though some competitions may be specific to certain levels only. Mobility is at the coaches’ discretion.

Another YMCA of Coastal Georgia program based at Liberty ASYMCA in Hinesville offers a USAG compulsory competitive team program. The program is year-round and focuses on quality competitive training, friendship, dedication and fun. The Liberty team competes in USAG and the YMCA National Gymnastics Championship.

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