Young Key West gymnasts returned last week from the AAU National Gymnastics Finals in Des Moines, Iowa, with two national champions.
Competing under the banner of Jan Beets' Island Gymnastics, the team brought back seven gold medals, three silver and four bronze. The team was coached jointly by Beets and Linda Johnson.
About 100 girls from all over the country competed in the event, Beets said.
In the girls' Level 2 10-11 age bracket, Jenna St. Pierre took First All-Around in the nation, placing first on bars, first on balance beam, first on vault and third on floor exercise. She is the daughter of Leanne and Glenn St. Pierre.
In the girls' Level 3 8-year-old bracket, Chrissy Allen took First All-Around in the nation, placing first in floor exercise, first on the balance beam, second on the uneven bars and fourth on vault.
She is the daughter of Peggy and Dr. Bill Allen.
Marlana Rodriguez took Third All-Around in the nation in the girls' Level 2 10-11 age bracket. She placed second on bars, third on vault, third on balance beam and fourth on floor exercise.
She is the daughter of Tim Rodriguez and the granddaughter of Marlene Rodriguez.
Alyssa Moncrieff, competing in the girls' Level 2 7-year-old bracket, placed Eighth All-Around. She placed second on bars. She is the daughter of Tony and Donna Moncrieff.
In the same bracket, Samantha Grizzle placed 14th All-Round. She placed sixth on the beam. She is the daughter of Donna and Dr. Art Grizzle.
"Our girls had an incredible season, especially when you consider that this is the first year we have competed," Beets said. "In five meets, we took home First Place team trophies four times. And our Level 3 advanced team won the state AAU championship."
"We want to thank our dozens of sponsors who made it possible for these girls to achieve their dreams," said Coach Johnson.