‘Just wow’: Small Wonders competes in Puerto Rico | News

A team of young New Castle-based gymnasts and their families just got back from San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Haley New, Brooklynn Jolley, Mallory Shaffer, Kaleigh Hamilton, Karlee Koontz, Aspyn Richens, LilyAnn Caudill, Karrington James, Bayleigh Ellis, McKinley Krul and Brynna Hall competed Dec. 16-18 in the 2022 Laurie Hernandez Champions Challenge.

Olympic-medalist Hernandez created the Champions Challenge to bring attention to Puerto Rico gymnastics.

Small Wonders owner and coach Katrina Hanning said visiting and competing in Puerto Rico was a fantastic experience.

“It was amazing to be surrounded by so many athletes from so many different areas,” she said.

Hanning said the Champions Challenge was the first international competition that young gymnasts could enter without being an elite athlete.

The trip to Puerto Rico also gave the New Castle team and their coaches the opportunity to learn about Puerto Rico’s history. Hanning said the overall experience for them outside of the gymnastics competition was more than they expected.

“We didn’t quite grasp it until we got there. Just wow,” she said.

Small Wonders Assistant Head Coach Jon Newby added, “At Small Wonders Gymnastics, we value the experience the gymnasts receive and the memories they make that they will treasure for a lifetime.”

The girls competed in events from Level 2 skills up to Platinum.

“While scores and placements aren’t the main focus, it’s always rewarding to see the gymnasts’ hard work reflect in their scores in competition!” Newby said. “At the recent Laurie Hernandez Champions Challenge, several Small Wonders gymnasts received their highest scores so far this season and placed on various events.”

Aspyn Richens received a 9.0 on Bars and Beam, LilyAnn Caudill received a 9.175 on Vault, Bars, and Floor, and Karrington James scored a 9.225 on Bars, as well as placing 1st All Around in her age division.

Joining our “9.25+ Club” were Mallory Shaffer with a 9.25 on Bars, Bryanna Hall with a 9.3 on Floor, as well as placing 1st place All Around, Karlee Koontz with a 9.375 on Bars, Haley New with a 9.4 on Vault, and Brooklyn Jolley with a 9.475 on Floor.

In the Small Wonders “9.5+ Club” are Bayleigh Ellis with a score of 9.5 on Vault, Kaleigh Hamilton with a 9,525 on Bars, and McKinley Krul with a weekend high score of 9,725 on Vault.

Five local businesses helped cover the girls’ travel costs to Puerto Rico: Grede, Professional Design, Kramer REMAX, Sidny Grow Photography, and Dale’s Pizza.

Planning for 2023

Hanning said Small Wonders Gymnastics will host the next Champions Challenge qualifier in Indianapolis in 2023, just as they did this year. She is looking forward to taking Team Indiana back to Puerto Rico.

Hanning also has another Olympic gymnast scheduled to host a clinic at Small Wonders next year. She can’t give her name yet, but she is very excited for Region 5 gymnasts to learn from this athlete.

In the past, Small Wonders has hosted clinics by Olympian gymnasts Nastia Liuken, Carly Patterson, Shawn Johnson and, of course, Laurie Hernandez.

Small Wonders will also continue in 2023 to host the New Castle High School gymnastic team’s home meets.

Hanning hopes to see many community members come out to support the Trojans this season.