Rising Talent: Region 2 Level 9 Watchlist

Region 2 is producing a strong pipeline of developing gymnastics talent, and this Level 9 class is showcasing the skills, confidence, and competitive presence that make athletes stand out as they progress through the sport. At this stage of development, gymnasts are beginning to build the foundation that will shape their future careers, with many already demonstrating impressive difficulty, consistency, and potential across all four events.   From powerful athletes making an impact on vault and floor to polished competitors showcasing artistry and precision on beam and bars, these rising talents represent the next generation of Region 2 gymnastics. As they continue to refine their routines, add upgrades, and gain valuable competition experience, these are athletes to keep watching as they take the next steps in their gymnastics journeys.    Janella Velarmino is a graceful and versatile all-around athlete who brings strong execution and artistry to each event. She particularly stands out on beam, where she showcases beautiful lines, a front aerial, and a back handspring to layout stepout series with confidence and control. Her floor routine features dynamic skills including a 1½ to front pike, switch ring to Popa, and front full to front pike, while her bars routine includes a ½ pirouette to bail to handstand and clear hip handstand to double tuck dismount. She also competes a Yurchenko layout on vault.   Entering her sophomore season, Velarmino is positioned for continued growth as she refines her routines and adds upgrades. With her combination of artistry, consistency, and all-around ability, she is an exciting athlete to watch as she continues to develop.     Kaylee Strimback is coming off a successful Level 9 season and is entering her freshman year with an exciting trajectory. A powerful and dynamic athlete, Strimback continues to build an impressive skill set across all four events, showcasing the potential to make a significant impact as she moves to the next level.   Her training repertoire includes a Yurchenko full and front handspring-front on vault, while her floor upgrades feature an impressive collection of difficulty, including a double layout, double back, front ½ to layout stepout, front Rudi, front full to front layout, front double full, and double pike. On bars, she is developing high-level skills such as a Maloney, toe handstand to Pak connection, and Jaeger. Her beam work continues to progress with a back handspring-back handspring-layout stepout series, front toss to scale, and side somi. With her combination of power, versatility, and continued skill development, Strimback is an athlete to watch as she begins her freshman season.     Glenda Lee is a strong all-around athlete entering her freshman year with a well-rounded skill set and the ability to contribute across multiple events. She showcases a combination of power, consistency, and versatility, making her an exciting athlete to follow as she continues to develop.   Lee's routines feature impressive skills across all four events, including a 1½ to front pike, double full, and front layout to front full on floor; a back handspring to layout stepout, aerial, and roundoff to full dismount on beam; a Yurchenko layout on vault; and a Pak salto with a double tuck dismount on bars. She has continued to push her difficulty with upgrades like a roundoff to 1½ dismount, front aerial, and back handspring to chest mount on beam. With her strong foundation and continued progression, Lee enters her freshman season as an athlete with the potential to make an immediate impact.     Lexie Gersdorf made a strong statement during her Level 9 season, particularly on vault and beam, where her power, confidence, and skill execution stood out. Entering her junior year, Gersdorf is continuing to build on that foundation and is poised for another step forward as she takes on increased difficulty.   This year, Gersdorf has been training exciting upgrades across multiple events, including a Yurchenko full on vault, a back handspring to layout stepout and roundoff to 1½ dismount on beam, along with advanced skills like an Onodi and Barani. She is also developing a double tuck on floor and Jaeger on bars. With her strong event presence, continued growth, and competitive experience, Gersdorf is an athlete ready to make an impact and continue turning heads this season.     Anjali D'Souza is coming off an impressive Level 9 season, where she established herself as one of the top bar workers in her age division by earning the title of Westerns bar champion. She brings a strong combination of precision, consistency, and difficulty, making her a standout all-around athlete with particular strength on bars.   D'Souza's current skill set includes a ½ pirouette to bail to handstand and double tuck dismount on bars, a layout Tsuk on vault, and dynamic tumbling on floor including a 1½ to front pike, front full, and ½ to front pike. On beam, she showcases confidence with a back handspring to chest mount, back handspring to layout stepout, and roundoff to full dismount. She continues to elevate her routines with upgrades including a toe-on to front pike dismount on bars, double tuck and double pike on floor, and a roundoff to 1½ dismount on beam. As she continues to develop, D'Souza is an exciting athlete to watch as she looks to build on an already impressive foundation.     Scarlett Feutrier had a strong Level 9 season, showcasing a well-rounded skill set and the ability to contribute across all four events. She brings a combination of power, consistency, and technical skill that makes her an exciting athlete to watch as she continues to progress.   Feutrier's routines feature a Pak salto and double tuck dismount on bars, a Yurchenko layout on vault, and dynamic floor work including a front full to front pike, 1½ to front pike, and wolf double turn. On beam, she showcases strong acro with a back handspring to chest mount, back handspring-back handspring series, and roundoff to tuck full dismount. She continues to elevate her routines with impressive upgrades, including a Maloney release and double layout dismount on bars, Barani and back handspring to layout stepout on beam, front Rudi on floor, and a Yurchenko full on vault. With her continued development and increasing difficulty, Feutrier is a rising athlete to watch as she takes the next steps in her gymnastics career.    Region 2 continues to showcase a deep pool of emerging talent, with this Level 9 class demonstrating the skill, athleticism, and potential that make the next generation of gymnasts so exciting to follow. From powerful vaults and dynamic tumbling to precise beam work and challenging bars routines, these athletes are showing the foundation needed to take the next step in their development.   As they continue to refine their routines, add upgrades, and gain valuable competitive experience, these gymnasts represent the future of Region 2 gymnastics. Keep an eye on these rising talents as they continue their journeys. The progress made at this stage can be the building block for future success at the highest levels of the sport.

Region 2 is producing a strong pipeline of developing gymnastics talent, and this Level 9 class is showcasing the skills, confidence, and competitive presence that make athletes stand out as they progress through the sport. At this stage of development, gymnasts are beginning to build the foundation that will shape their future careers, with many already demonstrating impressive difficulty, consistency, and potential across all four events.