In 2020 Covid-19 brought the world, and the Darien YMCA competitive to gymnastics program to a standstill. However, it did not take long for our coaches and gymnasts to find a way to come together and move forward as a team. Throughout last spring, the Darien YMCA Gymnastics coaches connected with their gymnasts via Zoom, helping to ease the mental and physical effects of being separated from each other and the Y gymnastics center, their home away from home. Thrilled to return to the gym last summer the team worked together to restrengthen and prepare for the rigors of competitive gymnastics training.

As the gymnasts adjusted to wearing masks and training in pods, their coaches and the Darien YMCA staff worked to bring some normalcy to their routine. With some creative planning gymnasts were able to compete again, holding virtual meets. In partnership with the Darien Athletic Foundation the meets were live streamed so that family & friends could follow along in real time. The Darien YMCA is incredibly grateful to Damian Andrew and the Darien Athletic Foundation for the many hours donated to making sure our gymnasts’ friends and families could watch them shine!

The hard work and dedication of our gymnasts over the last year culminated in some amazing successes this spring at the USA Gymnastics State, Regional and Eastern Division levels. In April, 10 Darien YMCA Gymnasts had a very strong showing at state Level 4-6 championships. Later that month four Level 9 gymnasts, Saskia Chermayeff, Sarah Cross, Sofia DeStefano & Mia Karlehag qualified at the USAG Regional meet for USAG Level 9 Eastern Championship. Gymnasts must score in the All-Around top 7 for their Division/Age Group at the USAG Regional event to qualify for the Eastern Championship. At the Championship held in May in Atlanta the Darien YMCA gymnasts were the only YMCA gymnasts to qualify for this coveted event – a huge accomplishment!

We are beyond proud of the grit and determination our gymnasts and coaches have shown over this last year. We look forward to watching all of our gymnasts from house league to Level 9 continuing their journey in the Y’s gymnastics program!

Jacquelyn Coppola

Courtney Timmeny

Maddie McGivney

Taylor Davies