Poplar Bluff hosts statewide gymnastics tournament

Thursday, April 6, 2023

DAR/B. Kay Richter

Around 900 gymnasts from studios across the state converged on Poplar Bluff last weekend for the 2023 Missouri USA Gymnastics Advanced State Championship, hosted at the Black River Coliseum. Seven gymnastics clubs came from Southeast Missouri. Poplar Bluff’s own Xtreme Gymnastics had 13 qualifying gymnasts in the championship: Naomi Akers, Macy Cote, Adilynn Buenaga, Rayne Owens, Lillith Williams, Samantha Painter, Iris Ray, Olivia Cummings, Addison Livingston, Julian Crabb, Makynlee Hassig, Natalya Johnson and Isabella Palma. All of them placed in the top three in at least one category within their division.

Xtreme Gymnastics student Iris Ray from Poplar Bluff competes during the uneven bars event at Saturday's competition at the Black River Coliseum.
Team members from a regional gym wave during the Missouri State Qualifiers Parade of Champions on Saturday at the Black River Coliseum.
Samantha Painter of Xtreme Gymnastics competes during the uneven bars event at the 2023 Missouri USA Gymnastics Advanced State Championship.
Xtreme Gymnastics contenstant Adilynn Buenega from Poplar Bluff performs a routine on the uneven bars.

A gymnast from Stacey's Icon Gymnastics in Wentzville competes on the balance beam at the Black River Coliseum. Over 50 gyms and close to 900 gymnasts from the Missouri area competed for the 2023 Missouri USA Gymnastics Advanced State Championship.