Murrieta Gymnasts Win State Championships

The hard work of 17 young gymnasts from Murrieta paid off last weekend when they earned state champion status.

The gymnasts, from Murrieta Valley Gymnastics, competed against 195 others from Southern California during the Amateur Athletic Union State Championships May 21-22 in Tehachapi. 

They came home with two team banners for earning state champions for Levels 1 and 2, and six gymnasts were named Individual All-Around first place champions.

Murrieta Valley Gymnastics (MVG) is a city program through the Murrieta Community Services Department, coached by Cindy Angevine.

Angevine has been teaching gymnastics through the City of Murrieta since 1995, but said this is only the third year her athletes have entered competitions.

"So competition is fairly new for us, but we get a little better every year," Angevine said. "They work so hard."

One gymnast, Alyssa Gibbons, 15, started taking the recreation classes with Angevine when she was 6. Alyssa was one of the six from Murrieta who earned the title of first place state champion last weekend. 

Because Amateur Athletic Union is affiliated with Junior Olympics, Angevine said the competition entrance fees are affordable for many enrolled in the recreation program. While these gymnasts qualified to go to nationals in Florida, Angevine said they won't be able to go this year, as there is not enough funding for the travel expenses.

There are 265 gymnasts enrolled in the program, which runs on three-month sessions. Levels 1 through 6 are taught.