Olentangy Berlin sophomore Izzy Stassi of Buckeye Gymnastics wins vault at U.S. juniors
Frank DiRenna
Izzy Stassi continues to soar for Buckeye Gymnastics.
Stassi, a sophomore at Olentangy Berlin, won vault (27.3) and placed third in the all-around (103.55) in the Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Junior Championships, which were held Thursday through Sunday at the SAP Center in San Jose, California.
She was fifth on uneven bars (26.15) and floor exercise (25.05) and sixth on balance beam (25.05).
“She hit all of her events,” coach Kittia Carpenter said. “She was coming back from an (ankle) injury. There were aches and pains here and there, so to push through and get all eight routines to hit in two days of competition was awesome. She’s really a competitor and can really step up. We were happy, excited and relieved.”
Stassi has delivered one strong performance after another since joining Buckeye Gymnastics last October.
She helped the U.S. earn the silver medal in the Junior World Championships, which were held March 29 through April 2 in Antalya, Turkey.
Stassi finished sixth in the all-around (51.8) in the Winter Cup, which was held in February in Louisville, Kentucky. Her effort earned her a spot on the junior national team, according to Carpenter.
Carpenter said Stassi will move to the senior division early next year.
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Before joining Buckeye Gymnastics, which is in Westerville, Stassi competed for Gym-Xtreme Gymnastics in Lewis Center.
Competing in the senior level at the national championships in San Jose, Buckeye Gymnastics’ Kelise Woolford finished 26th in the all-around (96.95).