PART OF THE SWEET ELITE: Local gymnasts rise to high heights in Level 9 Western Nationals
Once again, Bartlesville proved to have the little gymnastics club that could.
Going up against the top 28 athletes in their age group in the western half of the nation, Bartlesville Gymnastics Club towering talents Raynie Ketcher and Aiyannah Oliver each made a major imprint at the Level 9 Western Championships.
Ketcher wrapped up Fourth Place All-Around (37.475), while placing in the Top 10 in three of the four compulsory events.
Oliver also recorded three Top 10 showings in the four stations and came in Seventh-Place All-Around (36.475).
Salt Lake City, Utah, hosted the massive competition at the American Exposition Center, nearly in the shadow of the Wasatch Mountain Range.
Ketcher and Oliver both scrambled high up the slope of excellence and finished near the highest peak.
Ketcher nearly ruled the roost as the top vaulter in the western half of the nation.
She came up barely shy but still finished second (9.65.
She recorded ninth place on both the balance beam (9.4) and the floor exercise (9.4).
She came in 17th on the uneven bars (9.025) to round out her results.
“Raynie had an amazing days,” said BGC Executive Director Lorrie Bertolet.
Ketcher performed a Yurchenko tuck full on the vault, which “definitely was one of the biggest vaults in the competition,” Bertolet said.
Oliver launched herself to fourth place on the vault (9.55). She earned eighth on the floor (9.375) and ninth on the bars (8.975).
A 19th place performance on the beam (8.575) capped her meet.
“Aiyannah did an exquisite floor routine, which she is famous for,” Bertolet said. “She always gives a memorable performance.”
Earning a spot in the Western Nationals represented a great achievement in itself.
“To qualify for this meet was quite an accomplishment,” Bertolet said. “both of these athletes did a phenomenal job. I couldn’t be more proud of their performance and attitude throughout this prestigious competition. To medal … is the ultimate achievement.”
Ketcher is designated to move up next year to Level 10 competition.
Oliver graduated this month and will be moving on to Texas Women’s University.
The outcome for Ketcher and Oliver played a major part in an overall successful 2021-22 campaign for the BGC.
“Bartlesville had a great season and I cannot wait to watch all our athletes move up to new levels and continue their love for this amazing sport,” Bertolet said.
This article originally appeared on Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise: Focus on Bartlesville Gymnastics Club results at Western Nationals
