Local gymnasts compete at USA Nationals

Led by Vitchitskaya’s gold medal, Zero Gravity finds success in Phoenix

By Ryan Sparks • August 1, 2022 6:00 pm
SUBMITTED PHOTO Zero Gravity gymnasts (from left) Polina Vitchitskaya, Kendall O’Hagen, Felicia Watkins and Ashlea Jenkins competed at the USA Gymnastics Tumbling and Trampoline Stars and Stripes National Championships July 24-25 at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona.
SUBMITTED PHOTO Zero Gravity gymnasts (from left) Polina Vitchitskaya, Kendall O’Hagen, Felicia Watkins and Ashlea Jenkins competed at the USA Gymnastics Tumbling and Trampoline Stars and Stripes National Championships July 24-25 at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona.

The local Zero Gravity gymnastics team had a strong showing at the USA Gymnastics Tumbling and Trampoline Stars and Stripes National Championships July 24-25 at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona.

The Montesano-based team had four athletes compete at the event, which featured more than 550 competitors from across the nation.

Leading the charge for Zero Gravity was Polina Vitchitskaya, who won her heat and placed first in the nation in the 15-plus level five double mini competition.

Vitchitskaya also placed 10th in the nation in the level five tumbling event.

Zero Gravity’s Ashlea Jenkins won her level six double mini heat in the 11-12 year old class to take sixth nationally as well as placing 10th overall in the nation in level seven tumbling.

Kendall O’Hagen placed fourth in her level seven double mini heat to place sixth in the nation in the 15-plus class. O’Hagen also placed seventh in the nation in the level five tumbling event.

Zero Gravity’s Felicia Watkins competed in three level five events at the two-day competition, placing 24th in the nation (sixth in heat) in the 11-12 double mini, 27th in the nation (second in heat) in tumbling and 34th nationally (ninth in heat) on the trampoline.