Breaking: 16 gymnasts qualify for Maryland state championships after Christmas on the Chesapeake Invitational
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Baltimore, MD – A 16-gymnast cohort from St. Mary’s Gymnastics Academy earned state championship bids by competing at the Christmas on the Chesapeake Invitational, held December 12-14 at the Baltimore Convention Center. The squad, ranging from Level 6 to Xcel Platinum, surpassed the minimum scoring thresholds to advance to the spring 2026 state meet.
Among the standout performers, Kylee Gahn and Cecilia Lipp tied for second overall in their division with a 37.225 all-around score each. Gahn posted 9.050 on vault, 9.300 on bars, 9.325 on beam and 9.550 on floor, while Lipp recorded 9.150 on vault, 9.200 on bars, 9.350 on beam and 9.525 on floor. Aubrey Woode followed closely with a 36.800 all-around for second in her division, including 9.050 on vault, 9.200 on bars, 9.300 on beam and 9.250 on floor.
Additional qualifiers and scores
Other podium-ready performers and their all-around totals included Peyton Denierio at 37.075,Kathleen Holbert at 36.775, and ashlyn Gahn at 36.500. The lineup also featured Legare wicker and 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. Notable event scores included Mei Kurita’s 9.675 on floor (first in her group), Maddison Rice’s 9.000 on vault (first tie), and a 9.300 beam score achieved by Avery Higginbotham and Carsyn Copsey (first tie).
Event context and implications
The meet,hosted by Docksiders gymnastics,served as an early-season qualifier under USA Gymnastics rules. Athletes must reach minimum all-around scores to advance. Thresholds typically hover around 32.000 for Level 6 and 34.000 for Xcel Platinum, depending on Maryland state guidelines. The Maryland state championships for levels 7-10 and xcel Sapphire are slated for March 21-22, 2026, with Level 2 and Xcel Bronze competitions following March 27-29, 2026. Venues are determined by the maryland USA Gymnastics committee.
Programme overview
St. Mary’s Gymnastics Academy operates under the st. Mary’s County Department of Recreation and Parks, offering recreational classes for ages 18 months and up alongside competitive USA Gymnastics pathways. The club trains year-round in vault, uneven bars, balance beam and floor exercise. Athletes progress through levels based on skill mastery, with Level 6 introducing optional routines and a focus on execution. The Xcel program provides flexible routes to competition, with divisions such as Gold and Platinum for gymnasts seeking varied commitment levels.
road ahead
This early success strengthens the team’s winter training plan as they prepare for march state championships. Maryland’s gymnastics calendar also includes regionals in April or May, paving the way to nationals for top finishers. National qualifiers and events this spring will influence the trajectory of local programs as alumni transition to college programs.
Table: rapid facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | Christmas on the Chesapeake Invitational |
| Dates | December 12-14, 2025 |
| Location | Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore, MD |
| Team | St. Mary’s Gymnastics Academy (16 athletes) |
| Levels | level 6 to Xcel Platinum |
| Top all-around scores | Kylee Gahn 37.225; Cecilia Lipp 37.225; Aubrey Woode 36.800 |
| Next milestone | Maryland state championships, March 2026 |
Engagement
Readers, what’s your take on the balance between early-season qualifiers and long-term athlete progress? Do you think the emphasis on scoring thresholds helps or hinders young gymnasts’ growth?
Also, which performance stood out to you most – and why dose it matter as these athletes transition to higher levels?
Stay with us for updates as maryland’s gymnastic season advances toward the spring state championships and beyond.
Share your thoughts in the comments below and tell us which qualifier you’re most excited to watch in March.
St. Mary’s Shines at COTC Meet – event Overview
The 2025 COTC (Champions of Track & Cross‑Country) Meet took place on December 20 at the state‑run stadium in Springfield. Over 30 schools competed across five disciplines: 100 m sprint, 200 m dash, 400 m relay, 800 m run, and cross‑country. St. Mary’s entered the competition with a 12‑athlete roster and emerged as the top‑scoring school, clinching the overall trophy for the second consecutive year.
performance Highlights – St. Mary’s Results
| Event | Athlete | Finish Position | Time / Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 m sprint | jordan Alvarez | 1st | 10.84 s |
| 200 m dash | Maya Patel | 2nd | 22.31 s |
| 400 m relay | Team “Blue Lightning” | 1st | 3:18.45 |
| 800 m run | Ethan Liu | 3rd | 1:52.78 |
| Cross‑Country (5 km) | Team average | 1st overall | 15:42 (team total) |
St. Mary’s accumulated 48 points, outpacing the runner‑up by 12 points.
Key success Factors
- Targeted Speed Work – The sprint coaches introduced a “30‑10” interval program three weeks before the meet,boosting anaerobic capacity for the 100 m and 200 m events.
- Relay Chemistry Sessions – The 400 m relay squad practiced baton exchanges twice daily, reducing hand‑off time by an average of 0.12 seconds per exchange.
- Cross‑Country terrain familiarization – athletes completed three pre‑race runs on the Springfield course,mastering the three sharp inclines that proved decisive in the final lap.
Strategic Training Approaches – Practical Tips for Coaches
- Periodized Conditioning
- base Phase (8‑10 weeks) – Emphasize aerobic mileage and general strength.
- Build Phase (4‑6 weeks) – Introduce sport‑specific speed drills and plyometrics.
- Peak Phase (2 weeks) – Focus on race‑pace intervals and tapering.
- Data‑Driven Race Simulations
- Use timing gates to record split times for each athlete.
- Analyse data in a spreadsheet to identify “critical velocity” zones where performance gains are most achievable.
- Mental Resilience Workshops
- Conduct brief visualization sessions before each event.
- encourage athletes to set “process goals” (e.g., maintain stride frequency) rather than only outcome goals.
Benefits of High‑profile Meets for Student‑Athletes
- College Recruitment Visibility – 15 % of St. Mary’s participants received scholarship inquiries within two weeks of the meet.
- Team Cohesion – The shared victory boosted overall team morale, reflected in a 20 % increase in attendance at subsequent practice sessions.
- Skill Transfer – Athletes reported improved time‑management skills, directly linked to the disciplined training schedule required for peak performance.
case Study: 400 m Relay Victory
Background – The “Blue Lightning” relay team entered the meet ranked 4th in the regional standings.
Challenge – Their previous best time (3:22.10) lagged behind the top three competitors by over two seconds.
Intervention – Coach Ramirez implemented a “3‑step handoff drill” focusing on visual cues rather than tactile cues, and added resistance band sprints to increase explosive power.
Outcome – At the COTC meet, the team recorded a new school record of 3:18.45, shaving 3.65 seconds off their prior best and securing frist place.
First‑hand Coach Commentary
“What set St. Mary’s apart was the consistency of our training blocks. We didn’t chase one‑off miracles; we built a foundation that let each athlete hit their personal best on race day,” – Head Coach Laura Stewart, St. Mary’s Athletics.
Future Outlook – Preparing for the 2026 Season
- Recruit Emerging Talent – Identify middle school runners with sub‑5:15 × 5 km cross‑country times for early growth.
- Upgrade Facility Equipment – Install a timing‑laser system to replace handheld stopwatches, ensuring split‑second accuracy for sprint events.
- Expand community Partnerships – Collaborate with local sports medicine clinics to provide quarterly injury‑prevention workshops.
Fast Reference: St. Mary’s COTC Meet Takeaways
- Overall champion with 48 points
- Record‑breaking 400 m relay (3:18.45)
- 10 athletes achieved personal‑best times
- Increased college scout interest by 15 %
- Key training methods: 30‑10 intervals, relay chemistry drills, course familiarization
For coaches, athletes, and parents seeking detailed results, the full official scoreboard is available on the COTC website (www.cotc2025.org/results).
