By Liz Nolan, Contributing Writer
Photo/submitted
Region – Four area gymnasts from Gymnastics Learning Center (GLC) in Shrewsbury are heading to the Xcel Regional Championships the weekend of May 21-22 at Shrewsbury High School. They will be competing with other gymnasts from New England and New York.
Eighth-grader Lizzie Meschisen from the Robert E. Melican Middle School in Northborough; eighth-grader Madison Bromm from the Sarah W. Gibbons Middle School in Westborough; Shrewsbury High School freshman Mary Faletra, and Grafton High School freshman Sophia Harper will compete at the Xcel Platinum level in all four events – floor, beam, uneven bars and vault.
For the competition, the athletes have choreographed routines for each event, giving them the opportunity to adapt their personality to it – whether it is dramatic, graceful, powerful or elegant.
The Xcel program is an alternative to the Junior Olympics program and is designed to attract a diverse group of athletes. It offers the competitive experience, but the required training hours are limited.
Meschisen was training at the Junior Olympics level for three years, which had an intense training schedule of 24 hours per week. She took a short break from gymnastics but missed the sport. She is now training about 9 to 11 hours each week, year round at the Xcel level, which allows her time for schoolwork, soccer and a social life.
Harper is able to be part of her school’s track team; Faletra is a varsity team cheerleader; and Bromm plays lacrosse.
Meschisen’s mother Jackie thinks the Xcel program is great.
“It gives the girls the opportunity to do something they are passionate about but still leaves time for something else,” she said.
As with any sport, these athletes are no stranger to injuries. All together they have experienced chronic ankle problems, inflamed tendons, hamstring and back injuries, sprained wrists and broken toes.
It will be the second regional competition for Faletra and she knows it will be challenging.
“I am hoping to do well at regionals and move up a level,” she said. “I am well prepared and have improved since last year.”
Faletra’s mother Amy likes the fact that gymnastics is a sport that the girls can compete in as individuals as well as a team so they can look at their own progress and achievements.
Gymnastics is a sport of continuous improvement and the best in the sport will be competing at the regionals. According to Meschisen, it only motivates her to work harder.
“I am nervous, but at the same time excited,” she said. “I know that no matter what happens, I’ve worked hard. Gymnastics has taught me discipline, self-motivation and determination. It has helped in everyday life. It keeps me physically and mentally strong. I just love it.”
Harper has been on the Xcel team for eight years and her favorite event is the beam. The sport keeps her at an optimum fitness level as she continuously develops and improves her skills.
In addition to skill developing, Bromm views the friendships that develop as a bonus.
Faletra agreed. “The team is close. It’s a whole different friendship. It’s like a new day when you go to practice.”
