Local gymnasts receive big recognition

ZANESVILLE, Ohio-  Local gymnasts received big recognition this month.

The Zanesville Gymnastics girls competed at the Chicago Style Gymnastics Meet where two of their teams received top scores. The level three and level four teams, both won first place.

Monty Mitchell, Owner of Zanesville Gymnastics, said this was the largest gymnastics meet in the world.

“It’s huge really, it’s a big deal. I don’t know if people realize how big that is to go out there against, there were 4,200 gymnasts total and to compete that well and come out on top is a huge accomplishment,” said Mitchell.

He said there were teams from 29 states and 3 different countries competing alongside their teams.

Some of the Zanesville Gymnasts said they have pretty big goals for themselves. One goal in particular; the Olympics.

Astrid Staley said her participation on the team is something fun for her to do outside of school, but is also more.

“It brings me more goals in life,” said Astrid. “I want to make it to the Olympics.”

Fellow gymnast Kaileigh Jackson shares the same dream.

“There’s a lot of different things and a lot of different girls that you meet along they way,” Kaileigh said. “And I want to go to the Olympics.”

The girls said they both work on their Olympic dreams by dedicating numerous hours a week to their gymnastics development.

The next event for the team will be the 2017 Zanesville Gymnastics Invitational, February 25-26, at the Muskingum Recreation Center. For more information visit their website at http://www.zanesvillegymnastics.com.