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Eastern Montana Gymnastics
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EMG Gymnasts Are In USA Gymnastics
magazine
In February, Jena and Samantha Swanson had a
very unusual thing happen to them---they tied
for the first place all-around score at the Julie
Zeigler Meet in Bismarck, even though each of
their event scores were different. Because of
this, they, and their teammates, were pictured on
the "Faces In the Gym" page of the May/June,
2010 USA Gymnastics magazine, which is sent
throughout the USA to all USA Gymnastics
athletic and professional members.
Congratulations, girls! To view the page from
USA Gymnastics, click here.
magazine
In February, Jena and Samantha Swanson had a
very unusual thing happen to them---they tied
for the first place all-around score at the Julie
Zeigler Meet in Bismarck, even though each of
their event scores were different. Because of
this, they, and their teammates, were pictured on
the "Faces In the Gym" page of the May/June,
2010 USA Gymnastics magazine, which is sent
throughout the USA to all USA Gymnastics
athletic and professional members.
Congratulations, girls! To view the page from
USA Gymnastics, click here.
Jena and
Samantha Swanson
Circle, Montana
Twin Sisters Jena and
Samantha, age 7, tied for first all-around with
a score of 36.85 at the 2010 Level 4 Julie
Ziegler Gymnastics Meet in Bismarck, ND.
The twins are coached by DeeAnn and John
Urton at Eastern Montana Gymnastics.
Samantha Swanson
Circle, Montana
Twin Sisters Jena and
Samantha, age 7, tied for first all-around with
a score of 36.85 at the 2010 Level 4 Julie
Ziegler Gymnastics Meet in Bismarck, ND.
The twins are coached by DeeAnn and John
Urton at Eastern Montana Gymnastics.
Bismarck Meet
The Level 5 girls’ team from Eastern Montana Gymnastics in Circle traveled to Bismarck (braving the
wintery weather) and competed in the Julie Ziegler Memorial Meet on January 23. The team beat
Dickinson, Mandan, Jamestown, Valley City and Williston but lost to Fargo (who had two different
teams), Bismarck and Detroit Lakes, Minnesota.
Samantha Swanson, just back from a two-week vacation, wowed everyone with her first place finish
on balance beam. Samantha topped the sixty other Level 5 girls to earn the honor. Her 9.2 score was
also tied for the top score on all events at the Level 5 meet.
The meet was the first meet of the season for EMG’s new Level 5 gymnast Jasmine Clinton, who
came back to the EMG Team after a two-year break from gymnastics. Previously Jasmine was a Level
4 gymnast so all the routines and most of the elements were new to her. She performed all her
routines at the Bismarck meet with only about a month’s practice and is well on her way to higher
scores.
Besides her first place on beam, out of the 61 girls, Samantha was tied for eighth on floor, tied for
nineteenth on uneven bars and was seventh for her all-around. Sister Jena was tied for sixth on floor,
tied for eleventh on bars, tied for tenth for her all-around, was fifteenth on beam and was tied for 31st
on vault. Ramsey Bailey had an unusual meet, with an actual trip on the beam, which she saved from
a fall, and a rare fall on bars. She was tied for seventeenth on floor, 25th on beam, tied for 27th on
bars and was 27th for her all-around. Katelyn Fritz broke into the top half on the floor routine, where
she was tied for 32nd, while Ashley Becker had her best finishes on the beam and floor and Jasmine
had her best finish on bars. As a team, the girls finished in third place on beam and fourth place on
floor but finished in a tie for last place on the vault.
Because of the weather and roads, Jolene Wagner was unable to attend her Level 4 meet.
Scores for Level 5 girls (vault, uneven bars, balance beam, floor, all-around): Samantha Swanson
(8.1, 7.5, 9.2, 8.8, 33.6), Jena Swanson (8.3, 8.0, 8.15, 8.85, 33.3), Ramsey Bailey (8.2, 7.0, 7.8, 8.5,
31.5), Katelyn Fritz (7.9, 5.2, 6.45, 8.0, 27.55), Ashley Becker (7.4, 5.0, 7.0, 7.55, 26.95), Jasmine
Clinton (7.3, 5.4, 5.15, 6.5, 24.35).
The EMG gymnasts are now gearing up for their only Montana meet, which will be In Helena in
February and will include both girls and boys.
The Level 5 girls’ team from Eastern Montana Gymnastics in Circle traveled to Bismarck (braving the
wintery weather) and competed in the Julie Ziegler Memorial Meet on January 23. The team beat
Dickinson, Mandan, Jamestown, Valley City and Williston but lost to Fargo (who had two different
teams), Bismarck and Detroit Lakes, Minnesota.
Samantha Swanson, just back from a two-week vacation, wowed everyone with her first place finish
on balance beam. Samantha topped the sixty other Level 5 girls to earn the honor. Her 9.2 score was
also tied for the top score on all events at the Level 5 meet.
The meet was the first meet of the season for EMG’s new Level 5 gymnast Jasmine Clinton, who
came back to the EMG Team after a two-year break from gymnastics. Previously Jasmine was a Level
4 gymnast so all the routines and most of the elements were new to her. She performed all her
routines at the Bismarck meet with only about a month’s practice and is well on her way to higher
scores.
Besides her first place on beam, out of the 61 girls, Samantha was tied for eighth on floor, tied for
nineteenth on uneven bars and was seventh for her all-around. Sister Jena was tied for sixth on floor,
tied for eleventh on bars, tied for tenth for her all-around, was fifteenth on beam and was tied for 31st
on vault. Ramsey Bailey had an unusual meet, with an actual trip on the beam, which she saved from
a fall, and a rare fall on bars. She was tied for seventeenth on floor, 25th on beam, tied for 27th on
bars and was 27th for her all-around. Katelyn Fritz broke into the top half on the floor routine, where
she was tied for 32nd, while Ashley Becker had her best finishes on the beam and floor and Jasmine
had her best finish on bars. As a team, the girls finished in third place on beam and fourth place on
floor but finished in a tie for last place on the vault.
Because of the weather and roads, Jolene Wagner was unable to attend her Level 4 meet.
Scores for Level 5 girls (vault, uneven bars, balance beam, floor, all-around): Samantha Swanson
(8.1, 7.5, 9.2, 8.8, 33.6), Jena Swanson (8.3, 8.0, 8.15, 8.85, 33.3), Ramsey Bailey (8.2, 7.0, 7.8, 8.5,
31.5), Katelyn Fritz (7.9, 5.2, 6.45, 8.0, 27.55), Ashley Becker (7.4, 5.0, 7.0, 7.55, 26.95), Jasmine
Clinton (7.3, 5.4, 5.15, 6.5, 24.35).
The EMG gymnasts are now gearing up for their only Montana meet, which will be In Helena in
February and will include both girls and boys.
Ten EMG Gymnasts Enjoy Helena Meet
Ten gymnasts from Circle, Glendive and Wolf Point competed for Circle’s Eastern Montana
Gymnastics at the Mt. Helena Open on February 11 and 12 at Carroll College. The team competed
with gyms from Helena, Billings, Great Falls, Kalispell, Hamilton, Missoula, Conrad, Havre, Sidney and
Idaho Falls and, although the competition was tough, still won some top awards. In their age division,
Ramsey Bailey, of Circle, was first on floor and second on the balance beam, while Ashley Becker, of
Circle, was second on the vault. Samantha Swanson, of Glendive, was awarded a medal for her beam
routine that placed in the Top Ten of all the 61 Level 5 gymnasts, while sister Jena received a medal
for her Top Ten floor routine. The EMG Level 5 girls team finished in third place on the floor, out of the
ten much-larger teams.
Both Ashley and Level 6 Sarah Massar, of Circle, qualified to the Montana State Championships with
their all-around scores of 31 points or higher and also qualified to move to the next level sometime in
the future.
The Helena meet was the first meet of the season for two of EMG’s boys. Christopher Spotts, of Wolf
Point, competed in his very first competitive meet and did great for just starting gymnastics in
September. His highest placings were on the rings, vault and floor. Nate Howell, of Circle, competed
in his first Level 5 meet after competing at Level 4 for the past two years. His best routines were on the
vault and parallel bars.
Besides Ramsey’s first and second on beam and floor, she was also third for her all-around, out of
the nine gymnasts in her age group. Ashley competed in the same age group and, besides her
second place on vault, she was fifth on beam. Jasmine Clinton, of Circle, competed in the same age
group and, in only her second meet of the season, had her best showing on the floor routine.
Katelyn Fritz, of Circle, also competed in Level 5 and had her best showing on the vault.
Samantha and Jena competed in a tough age group, with twelve gymnasts, and finished in fifth and
sixth place, respectively, for their all-around score. Samantha also was third on bars and fourth on
beam, while Jena was fourth on floor.
In Level 6, Sarah had a great meet and finished in fourth place on beam and floor, out of the nine
gymnasts in her age group.
Jolene Wagner, of Circle, competed in Level 4 with ten girls in her age group and had her best
showings on vault and beam.
Scores for Level 5 girls (vault, uneven bars, balance beam, floor, all-around): Samantha Swanson
(8.05, 8.8, 9.075, 8.95, 34.875), Jena Swanson (8.15, 8.6, 8.8, 9.05, 34.6), Ramsey Bailey (8.05, 7.7,
8.95, 9.0, 33.7), Ashley Becker (8.375, 6.15, 8.45, 8.025, 31.0), Katelyn Fritz (8.2, 5.75, 7.35, 8.175,
29.475), Jasmine Clinton (6.95, 5.3, 7.4, 7.525, 27.175).
Scores for Level 6 girls: Sarah Massar (8.2, 6.35, 8.35, 8.8, 31.7).
Scores for Level 4 girls: Jolene Wagner (9.0, 7.0, 8.525, 7.0, 31.525).
Scores for Level 4 boys (floor, pommel, rings, vault, parallel bars, high bar, all-around): Christopher
Spotts (11.6, 8.5, 13.2, 14.2, 10.2, 10.7, 68.4).
Scores for Level 5 boys: Nate Howell (10.0, 10.8, 10.8, 14.0, 12.5, 11.2, 69.3).
The EMG Team will wrap up their regular season at Mandan, ND, before heading to the Montana State
Championships in Missoula in March.
Ten gymnasts from Circle, Glendive and Wolf Point competed for Circle’s Eastern Montana
Gymnastics at the Mt. Helena Open on February 11 and 12 at Carroll College. The team competed
with gyms from Helena, Billings, Great Falls, Kalispell, Hamilton, Missoula, Conrad, Havre, Sidney and
Idaho Falls and, although the competition was tough, still won some top awards. In their age division,
Ramsey Bailey, of Circle, was first on floor and second on the balance beam, while Ashley Becker, of
Circle, was second on the vault. Samantha Swanson, of Glendive, was awarded a medal for her beam
routine that placed in the Top Ten of all the 61 Level 5 gymnasts, while sister Jena received a medal
for her Top Ten floor routine. The EMG Level 5 girls team finished in third place on the floor, out of the
ten much-larger teams.
Both Ashley and Level 6 Sarah Massar, of Circle, qualified to the Montana State Championships with
their all-around scores of 31 points or higher and also qualified to move to the next level sometime in
the future.
The Helena meet was the first meet of the season for two of EMG’s boys. Christopher Spotts, of Wolf
Point, competed in his very first competitive meet and did great for just starting gymnastics in
September. His highest placings were on the rings, vault and floor. Nate Howell, of Circle, competed
in his first Level 5 meet after competing at Level 4 for the past two years. His best routines were on the
vault and parallel bars.
Besides Ramsey’s first and second on beam and floor, she was also third for her all-around, out of
the nine gymnasts in her age group. Ashley competed in the same age group and, besides her
second place on vault, she was fifth on beam. Jasmine Clinton, of Circle, competed in the same age
group and, in only her second meet of the season, had her best showing on the floor routine.
Katelyn Fritz, of Circle, also competed in Level 5 and had her best showing on the vault.
Samantha and Jena competed in a tough age group, with twelve gymnasts, and finished in fifth and
sixth place, respectively, for their all-around score. Samantha also was third on bars and fourth on
beam, while Jena was fourth on floor.
In Level 6, Sarah had a great meet and finished in fourth place on beam and floor, out of the nine
gymnasts in her age group.
Jolene Wagner, of Circle, competed in Level 4 with ten girls in her age group and had her best
showings on vault and beam.
Scores for Level 5 girls (vault, uneven bars, balance beam, floor, all-around): Samantha Swanson
(8.05, 8.8, 9.075, 8.95, 34.875), Jena Swanson (8.15, 8.6, 8.8, 9.05, 34.6), Ramsey Bailey (8.05, 7.7,
8.95, 9.0, 33.7), Ashley Becker (8.375, 6.15, 8.45, 8.025, 31.0), Katelyn Fritz (8.2, 5.75, 7.35, 8.175,
29.475), Jasmine Clinton (6.95, 5.3, 7.4, 7.525, 27.175).
Scores for Level 6 girls: Sarah Massar (8.2, 6.35, 8.35, 8.8, 31.7).
Scores for Level 4 girls: Jolene Wagner (9.0, 7.0, 8.525, 7.0, 31.525).
Scores for Level 4 boys (floor, pommel, rings, vault, parallel bars, high bar, all-around): Christopher
Spotts (11.6, 8.5, 13.2, 14.2, 10.2, 10.7, 68.4).
Scores for Level 5 boys: Nate Howell (10.0, 10.8, 10.8, 14.0, 12.5, 11.2, 69.3).
The EMG Team will wrap up their regular season at Mandan, ND, before heading to the Montana State
Championships in Missoula in March.
Level 5 Girls Win First, Ten Gymnasts End Regular Season at Mandan
Circle’s Eastern Montana Gymnastics team ended their regular season like they began it---with a first
place team trophy and several top awards. The Level 5 girls’ team won the first place trophy at the
Shamrock Qualifier in Mandan, ND on February 27 and the team also placed first on each of the four
events (vault, uneven bars, balance beam and floor exercise), which is unusual for one team to do. The
team scored over four points higher than the host team, with Valley City and Williston following behind.
Jena and Samantha Swanson, of Glendive, and Ramsey Bailey, of Circle, finished atop the winners
stand with Jena at first all-around, Samantha tied at second and Ramsey at fourth, out of the eighteen
Level 5 girls. On the floor exercise, the girls finished in the same positions, while on the bars they were
second, fourth and fifth and on the vault, they were third, fourth and fifth, respectively. Samantha had the
high EMG score on the balance beam and finished in third, with Jena at fourth and Ramsey at fifth, with
a rare fall which cost her a half point. Ashley Becker, of Circle, finished tied for seventh on vault, while
Katelyn Fritz, of Circle, had her best event on vault and Jasmine Clinton, of Circle, had her best events
on bars and floor. Samantha also won the Level 5 handstand contest.
Level 4’s Jolene Wagner, of Circle, was tied for fifth on bars, out of the sixteen girls and in Level 6,
Sarah Massar, of Circle, had her best score on the balance beam, where she performed a great
routine.
On Saturday, February 26, Level 4 Christopher Spotts, of Wolf Point, and Level 5 Nate Howell, of Circle,
competed with boys from Fargo, Mandan and Grand Forks. In his second competitive meet,
Christopher finished in third place on floor, out of seven boys, while Nate finished in fourth place on the
parallel bars, out of eight boys.
Scores for Level 5 girls (vault, uneven bars, balance beam, floor, all-around): Jena Swanson (8.3, 8.5,
8.5, 9.25, 34.55), Samantha Swanson (8.25, 8.3, 8.6, 9.2, 34.35), Ramsey Bailey (8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 9.05,
33.65), Ashley Becker (8.0, 6.2, 7.2, 8.0, 29.4), Katelyn Fritz (7.8, 6.0, 6.8, 7.8, 28.4), Jasmine Clinton
(7.3, 6.1, 6.3, 7.85, 27.55).
Scores for Level 4 girls: Jolene Wagner (8.7, 8.5, 7.55, 8.1, 32.85).
Scores for Level 6 girls: Sarah Massar (8.15, 5.75, 8.425, 6.35, 28.675).
Scores for Level 4 boys (floor, pommel, rings, vault, parallel bars, high bar, all-around): Christopher
Spotts (13.5, 8.6, 13.1, 14.6, 12.1, 11.5, 73.4).
Scores for Level 5 boys: Nate Howell (9.1, 9.3, 12.1, 14.2, 13.7, 11.7, 70.1).
The EMG Team will end their season with the Montana State Championships in Missoula at the end of
March.
Circle’s Eastern Montana Gymnastics team ended their regular season like they began it---with a first
place team trophy and several top awards. The Level 5 girls’ team won the first place trophy at the
Shamrock Qualifier in Mandan, ND on February 27 and the team also placed first on each of the four
events (vault, uneven bars, balance beam and floor exercise), which is unusual for one team to do. The
team scored over four points higher than the host team, with Valley City and Williston following behind.
Jena and Samantha Swanson, of Glendive, and Ramsey Bailey, of Circle, finished atop the winners
stand with Jena at first all-around, Samantha tied at second and Ramsey at fourth, out of the eighteen
Level 5 girls. On the floor exercise, the girls finished in the same positions, while on the bars they were
second, fourth and fifth and on the vault, they were third, fourth and fifth, respectively. Samantha had the
high EMG score on the balance beam and finished in third, with Jena at fourth and Ramsey at fifth, with
a rare fall which cost her a half point. Ashley Becker, of Circle, finished tied for seventh on vault, while
Katelyn Fritz, of Circle, had her best event on vault and Jasmine Clinton, of Circle, had her best events
on bars and floor. Samantha also won the Level 5 handstand contest.
Level 4’s Jolene Wagner, of Circle, was tied for fifth on bars, out of the sixteen girls and in Level 6,
Sarah Massar, of Circle, had her best score on the balance beam, where she performed a great
routine.
On Saturday, February 26, Level 4 Christopher Spotts, of Wolf Point, and Level 5 Nate Howell, of Circle,
competed with boys from Fargo, Mandan and Grand Forks. In his second competitive meet,
Christopher finished in third place on floor, out of seven boys, while Nate finished in fourth place on the
parallel bars, out of eight boys.
Scores for Level 5 girls (vault, uneven bars, balance beam, floor, all-around): Jena Swanson (8.3, 8.5,
8.5, 9.25, 34.55), Samantha Swanson (8.25, 8.3, 8.6, 9.2, 34.35), Ramsey Bailey (8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 9.05,
33.65), Ashley Becker (8.0, 6.2, 7.2, 8.0, 29.4), Katelyn Fritz (7.8, 6.0, 6.8, 7.8, 28.4), Jasmine Clinton
(7.3, 6.1, 6.3, 7.85, 27.55).
Scores for Level 4 girls: Jolene Wagner (8.7, 8.5, 7.55, 8.1, 32.85).
Scores for Level 6 girls: Sarah Massar (8.15, 5.75, 8.425, 6.35, 28.675).
Scores for Level 4 boys (floor, pommel, rings, vault, parallel bars, high bar, all-around): Christopher
Spotts (13.5, 8.6, 13.1, 14.6, 12.1, 11.5, 73.4).
Scores for Level 5 boys: Nate Howell (9.1, 9.3, 12.1, 14.2, 13.7, 11.7, 70.1).
The EMG Team will end their season with the Montana State Championships in Missoula at the end of
March.
EMG Gymnasts on Bismarck TV
The EMG Level 5 girls were videoed and interviewed by KFYR-TV reporter Michelle San Miguel at the
Mandan meet. See the original story here. Watch the video here.
Following is the story from the KFYR-TV website:
Seven-year-old twin sisters Samantha and Jena Swanson have been gymnasts for two years. They
traveled nearly 250 miles from Glendive, Mont. to compete in the Shamrock Qualifier in Mandan.
Their scores were calculated out of a 40-point system and included their performances in vaults,
uneven bars, balance beam and floor activity.
"I earned 34 points and she earned 33. And it was two-tenths apart," said Jena Swanson.
Their scores earned them first and second place in the level five division, with Samantha tying
second with a girl from Dakota Star Gymnastics. And Jena knows exactly where they`re going to hang
their medals.
"Well, we have this little thing at home. It`s like three little hangers and we put all our medals there,"
said Jena.
Kaya Gayette, the other gymnast who tied for second, lasted 19 seconds on the floor doing a walking
handstand and people rooting for her were proud to see it.
"Oh it was awesome. She`s a great gymnast so she does really well," said Shannon Dillman, board
president of Dakota Star.
The girls competing were between 7 and 14-years-old. Some of them put in as many as 13 hours of
practice a week.
"I love doing this every day. Seeing the smile that it puts on their face. Seeing them accomplish their
goals is great," said Jena Bowers, assistant gymnastics coach at Dakota Star.
Jena Swanson said she doesn`t even get nervous while on the balance beam because she stays
confident. That confidence led her to place first in her division.
The EMG Level 5 girls were videoed and interviewed by KFYR-TV reporter Michelle San Miguel at the
Mandan meet. See the original story here. Watch the video here.
Following is the story from the KFYR-TV website:
Seven-year-old twin sisters Samantha and Jena Swanson have been gymnasts for two years. They
traveled nearly 250 miles from Glendive, Mont. to compete in the Shamrock Qualifier in Mandan.
Their scores were calculated out of a 40-point system and included their performances in vaults,
uneven bars, balance beam and floor activity.
"I earned 34 points and she earned 33. And it was two-tenths apart," said Jena Swanson.
Their scores earned them first and second place in the level five division, with Samantha tying
second with a girl from Dakota Star Gymnastics. And Jena knows exactly where they`re going to hang
their medals.
"Well, we have this little thing at home. It`s like three little hangers and we put all our medals there,"
said Jena.
Kaya Gayette, the other gymnast who tied for second, lasted 19 seconds on the floor doing a walking
handstand and people rooting for her were proud to see it.
"Oh it was awesome. She`s a great gymnast so she does really well," said Shannon Dillman, board
president of Dakota Star.
The girls competing were between 7 and 14-years-old. Some of them put in as many as 13 hours of
practice a week.
"I love doing this every day. Seeing the smile that it puts on their face. Seeing them accomplish their
goals is great," said Jena Bowers, assistant gymnastics coach at Dakota Star.
Jena Swanson said she doesn`t even get nervous while on the balance beam because she stays
confident. That confidence led her to place first in her division.
EMG Team Finishes Season at Montana State Championships
Nine gymnasts from Eastern Montana Gymnastics in Circle competed at the 2011 Montana State
Gymnastics Championships in Missoula on March 25 and 26. Jena Swanson won the silver medal
for her second place finish on the balance beam, while Ramsey Bailey and Samantha Swanson,
who were both struggling with illnesses, won bronze medals for their third place finishes on floor.
Trey Taylor and Nate Howell were also awarded bronze medals for their third place ties on floor and
vault, respectively. EMG’s Level 5 girls’ team finished in second place on the balance beam, out of
the nine teams, and were only .525 point behind the top Missoula team.
The EMG boys competed on Friday evening, with Christopher Spotts in Level 4 and Trey and Nate in
Level 5. Christopher ended his first gymnastics season with a fifth place finish on vault, out of twelve
gymnasts. Trey was also fourth on pommel and rings, out of seven gymnasts. In Nate’s age group,
there were five gymnasts.
Jolene Wagner competed in the Level 4 meet on Saturday morning, where her best event was vault.
The Level 5 gymnasts competed next and EMG was represented by Jena, Sam, Ramsey and Ashley
Becker. Out of seven gymnasts in their age group, Jena was also fourth on the uneven bars and
fourth for her all-around score, while Samantha was also fourth on beam. Ramsey and Ashley
competed in the older age group, with eighteen girls, where Ramsey was also seventh on beam
and sixth for her all-around and Ashley was tied for eighth on the vault.
Sarah Massar competed in Level 6 against ten other gymnasts. Nursing a sore leg which limited
her competition, she had her best event on the balance beam.
Scores for Level 4 boys (floor, pommel, rings, vault, parallel bars, high bar, all-around): Christopher
Spotts (13.2, 9.5, 12.9, 14.7, 13.2, 11.3, 74.8).
Scores for Level 5 boys: Trey Taylor (13.3, 11.6, 12.5, 13.7, 11.8, 11.4, 74.3), Nate Howell (11.8, 12.1,
12.1, 14.5, 11.7, 10.3, 72.5).
Scores for Level 4 girls (vault, uneven bars, balance beam, floor, all-around): Jolene Wagner (8.9,
7.0, 7.6, 7.85, 31.35.)
Scores for Level 5 girls: Jena Swanson (8.0, 8.6, 9.35, 8.6, 34.55), Ramsey Bailey (8.25, 8.4, 9.025,
8.85, 34.525), Samantha Swanson (8.0, 8.5, 9.025, 8.85, 34.375), Ashley Becker (8.3, 7.2, 7.65,
8.025, 31.175).
Scores for Level 6 girls: Sarah Massar (8.0, 7.0, 7.6, 6.6, 29.2).
Nine gymnasts from Eastern Montana Gymnastics in Circle competed at the 2011 Montana State
Gymnastics Championships in Missoula on March 25 and 26. Jena Swanson won the silver medal
for her second place finish on the balance beam, while Ramsey Bailey and Samantha Swanson,
who were both struggling with illnesses, won bronze medals for their third place finishes on floor.
Trey Taylor and Nate Howell were also awarded bronze medals for their third place ties on floor and
vault, respectively. EMG’s Level 5 girls’ team finished in second place on the balance beam, out of
the nine teams, and were only .525 point behind the top Missoula team.
The EMG boys competed on Friday evening, with Christopher Spotts in Level 4 and Trey and Nate in
Level 5. Christopher ended his first gymnastics season with a fifth place finish on vault, out of twelve
gymnasts. Trey was also fourth on pommel and rings, out of seven gymnasts. In Nate’s age group,
there were five gymnasts.
Jolene Wagner competed in the Level 4 meet on Saturday morning, where her best event was vault.
The Level 5 gymnasts competed next and EMG was represented by Jena, Sam, Ramsey and Ashley
Becker. Out of seven gymnasts in their age group, Jena was also fourth on the uneven bars and
fourth for her all-around score, while Samantha was also fourth on beam. Ramsey and Ashley
competed in the older age group, with eighteen girls, where Ramsey was also seventh on beam
and sixth for her all-around and Ashley was tied for eighth on the vault.
Sarah Massar competed in Level 6 against ten other gymnasts. Nursing a sore leg which limited
her competition, she had her best event on the balance beam.
Scores for Level 4 boys (floor, pommel, rings, vault, parallel bars, high bar, all-around): Christopher
Spotts (13.2, 9.5, 12.9, 14.7, 13.2, 11.3, 74.8).
Scores for Level 5 boys: Trey Taylor (13.3, 11.6, 12.5, 13.7, 11.8, 11.4, 74.3), Nate Howell (11.8, 12.1,
12.1, 14.5, 11.7, 10.3, 72.5).
Scores for Level 4 girls (vault, uneven bars, balance beam, floor, all-around): Jolene Wagner (8.9,
7.0, 7.6, 7.85, 31.35.)
Scores for Level 5 girls: Jena Swanson (8.0, 8.6, 9.35, 8.6, 34.55), Ramsey Bailey (8.25, 8.4, 9.025,
8.85, 34.525), Samantha Swanson (8.0, 8.5, 9.025, 8.85, 34.375), Ashley Becker (8.3, 7.2, 7.65,
8.025, 31.175).
Scores for Level 6 girls: Sarah Massar (8.0, 7.0, 7.6, 6.6, 29.2).
2011-2012 Competitive Season Begins in Dickinson
The 2011-2012 competitive season began for the Eastern Montana Gymnastics Team girls at the
Dickinson meet in December. The Circle girls won top all-around places in both Level 5 and Level 6
and had five event first-places. In Level 5, Ramsey Bailey and Jayla Ewers were the top two gymnasts,
respectively, and in the B age group of Level 6, Jena and Samantha Swanson were the top two
gymnasts. Ramsey also added a first place on beam, Jayla had firsts on uneven bars and floor, Jena
had the top floor routine and Samantha had the top uneven bar routine. The Level 5 girls’ team also
placed second, out of the four teams, and were first on every event except vault.
In Level 5, Jayla (in her first Level 5 meet) and Jasmine Clinton scored above the required 31 points for
the first time to move to Level 6 sometime in the future. Ramsey scored the qualifying score also but
had scored it in previous years. In their first Level 6 meet, Jena and Samantha scored over 31 points to
qualify for Level 7 in the future.
Out of the 22 Level 5 gymnasts at the meet, Ramsey also had the second place vault and the third
place floor routine, while Jayla was eighth on beam and tied for eleventh on vault. Jasmine was eighth
on vault, tenth on bars and twelfth for her all-around. Ashley Becker was ninth on the uneven bars.
Jena and Samantha competed with five other girls in their age group in Level 6. Besides their top
awards, Jena was second on beam and vault and tied for third on bars, while Samantha was second
on bars and floor and was third on vault.
Level 5 girls (vault, uneven bars, balance beam, floor, all-around): Ramsey Bailey (7.5, 9.0, 9.45, 9.0,
34.95), Jayla Ewers (7.7, 9.35, 8.35, 9.2, 34.6), Jasmine Clinton (7.9, 7.65, 7.85, 7.65, 31.05), Ashley
Becker (7.35, 7.8, 7.4, 7.9, 30.45).
Level 6 girls: Jena Swanson (8.55, 7.1, 8.725, 8.7, 33.075), Samantha Swanson (8.35, 7.35, 9.025, 8.1,
32.825).
The 2011-2012 competitive season began for the Eastern Montana Gymnastics Team girls at the
Dickinson meet in December. The Circle girls won top all-around places in both Level 5 and Level 6
and had five event first-places. In Level 5, Ramsey Bailey and Jayla Ewers were the top two gymnasts,
respectively, and in the B age group of Level 6, Jena and Samantha Swanson were the top two
gymnasts. Ramsey also added a first place on beam, Jayla had firsts on uneven bars and floor, Jena
had the top floor routine and Samantha had the top uneven bar routine. The Level 5 girls’ team also
placed second, out of the four teams, and were first on every event except vault.
In Level 5, Jayla (in her first Level 5 meet) and Jasmine Clinton scored above the required 31 points for
the first time to move to Level 6 sometime in the future. Ramsey scored the qualifying score also but
had scored it in previous years. In their first Level 6 meet, Jena and Samantha scored over 31 points to
qualify for Level 7 in the future.
Out of the 22 Level 5 gymnasts at the meet, Ramsey also had the second place vault and the third
place floor routine, while Jayla was eighth on beam and tied for eleventh on vault. Jasmine was eighth
on vault, tenth on bars and twelfth for her all-around. Ashley Becker was ninth on the uneven bars.
Jena and Samantha competed with five other girls in their age group in Level 6. Besides their top
awards, Jena was second on beam and vault and tied for third on bars, while Samantha was second
on bars and floor and was third on vault.
Level 5 girls (vault, uneven bars, balance beam, floor, all-around): Ramsey Bailey (7.5, 9.0, 9.45, 9.0,
34.95), Jayla Ewers (7.7, 9.35, 8.35, 9.2, 34.6), Jasmine Clinton (7.9, 7.65, 7.85, 7.65, 31.05), Ashley
Becker (7.35, 7.8, 7.4, 7.9, 30.45).
Level 6 girls: Jena Swanson (8.55, 7.1, 8.725, 8.7, 33.075), Samantha Swanson (8.35, 7.35, 9.025, 8.1,
32.825).
| Photos from Helena, 2011--- click to view larger. |
| First Place in Level 5 at Mandan Meet |
| Photo from the KFYR-TV website: |
