MH academy strong going into state
MORGAN HILL — Champions Academy of Morgan Hill hosts its first boys gymnastics invitational Feb. 21, with 13 of the top teams in from Northern California in attendance.
It was successful day for several Champions Academy gymnasts.
Anthony Ponomarenko dominated the opening Level 4 competition, winning first place overall with top finishes in floor excercise, pommel horse, parallel bars and high bar. Where Ponomarenki didn’t take first, his teammates did. Duncan O’Fee earned top honors in rings, and Evan Williams placed first in parallel bars in the younger division. The host Level 4 team finished third overall.
The Champions Academy Level 5 squad came away with second place, receiving outstanding performances from Aaron Baer, Eric Heldt and Kyle Miner. Baer finished third overall in a very competitive field, and Heldt and Miner placed first in pommel and floor, respectively.
Champions Academy’s Level 6 team, one of the best in Northern California, took first place by a convincing 11-point margin. Champions Academy filled the all-around podium, with Bryan Miner taking first, Nikolas Mamola third, and Maasai Jones and Dante Gallardo tying for fourth.
The competition was a confidence boost for the team heading into this month’s state championships, where it will try to win Morgan Hill’s first state title.
