Sixteen gymnasts from St. Mary’s Gymnastics Academy qualified for the Maryland state championships after competing at the 2025 Christmas on the Chesapeake Invitational from December 12 to 14 at the Baltimore Convention Center. The team, representing levels from 6 through Xcel Platinum, all met the required scores to advance to the spring 2026 event. Three athletes placed second overall in their divisions.
Kylee Gahn and Cecilia Lipp each scored 37.225 all-around to tie for second in one division, with Gahn earning 9.050 on vault, 9.300 on bars, 9.325 on beam and 9.550 on floor, while Lipp posted 9.150 on vault, 9.200 on bars, 9.350 on beam and 9.525 on floor. Aubrey Woode scored 36.800 all-around for second in another division, with 9.050 on vault, 9.200 on bars, 9.300 on beam and 9.250 on floor.
Other qualifiers included Peyton Denierio at 37.075 all-around, Kathleen Holbert at 36.775, Ashlyn Gahn at 36.500, Legare Wicker at 35.875, Katelyn Haina at 35.875, Carsyn Copsey at 35.725, Avery Higginbotham at 35.400, Rowan Dear at 35.350, Reagan Wagner at 35.300, Mei Kurita at 35.150, Maddison Rice at 35.025, Penelope Oliver at 34.975 and Lily Mabrey at 34.575. Standout event scores featured Mei Kurita at 9.675 on floor for first, Maddison Rice at 9.000 on vault for first tie, and Avery Higginbotham and Carsyn Copsey at 9.300 on beam for first tie.
The meet, hosted by Docksiders Gymnastics, drew teams to the convention center in downtown Baltimore for sessions across multiple days. It serves as an early-season qualifier under USA Gymnastics rules, where athletes must achieve minimum all-around scores to advance. For level 6, that threshold is typically 32.000, while Xcel Platinum requires 34.000, based on state guidelines. The state championships for levels 7 through 10 and Xcel Sapphire occur March 21-22, 2026, with level 2 and Xcel Bronze following March 27-29, 2026, at venues determined by the Maryland USA Gymnastics committee.
St. Mary’s Gymnastics Academy operates under St. Mary’s County Department of Recreation and Parks, based at 21775 Great Mills Road in Leonardtown. The program offers recreational classes for ages 18 months and up, plus competitive USA Gymnastics tracks. The USAG team trains year-round, focusing on vault, uneven bars, balance beam and floor exercise. Gymnasts progress through levels based on skill mastery, with level 6 introducing optional routines where athletes select skills within guidelines, emphasizing execution over compulsory elements seen in lower levels. The Xcel program, an alternative to the Junior Olympic track, includes divisions like Gold and Platinum for gymnasts seeking flexible requirements. Xcel Platinum allows advanced skills such as full twists on floor or releases on bars, catering to varying commitment levels while providing competitive opportunities.
This achievement builds on prior successes, such as the team’s showing at the 2025 Win-Win Classic where level 2 placed second as a group. In June 2025, 21 of 24 gymnasts qualified for states after another invitational, with scores above 36.000 for many. The program emphasizes safety and development, with certified coaches following USA Gymnastics protocols. Local families support through volunteering at meets, common in St. Mary’s County where youth sports integrate with community events.
Maryland’s gymnastics calendar includes regionals in April or May, leading to nationals for top scorers. The 2026 Women’s Development Program National Championships run May 6-10 in Oklahoma City. Local programs like St. Mary’s contribute to the state’s pipeline, with alumni advancing to college teams.
This early qualification positions the team for focused training through winter, refining skills for the March states.