Westmoreland Gymnastics School's Maddy Jesky earns Xcel Silver and Platinum States all-around title

Maddy Jesky’s strength as a gymnast is her perseverance.

“Gymnastics is what I eat, sleep and breathe,” she said. “There is nothing I won’t try and nothing I’ll give up on.”

Well, Jesky certainly was tenacious at the Xcel Silver and Platinum States, taking the all-around title in her division.

The state championship meet was held May 13 at Miller Center for Recreation and Wellness in Lewisburg.

Jesky, representing Westmoreland Gymnastics School, posted an all-around score of 36.9 thanks to her 9.35 on bars, 8.95 on beam, 9.5 on floor and 9.1 on the vault.

“I am so thankful for how much I’ve improved and for the confidence I have gained due to my amazing coaches, Bill (Altman) and Anna (Broadhead),” said Jesky, a platinum level competitor. “Westmoreland Gymnastics is totally instrumental in my success this season.”

Altman has been owner and team coach at the gym for 32 years. He had nothing but high praise for the dedicated Jesky.

“Maddy is a hard worker who spent time improving her weaknesses and most notably her strength. She also worked equally hard on all events,” Altman said. “She loves gymnastics. Her strength is her work ethic. She is a leader and a great role model to our younger gymnasts. She is an excellent teammate.”

The location of the state competition changes every year, and a gymnast must earn a qualifying score at prior meets to attend the state meet.

Jesky competed at the state championships in four previous years. Her best finish before 2023 was fourth place all-around.

“This was my fifth time but first being with Westmoreland Gymnastics,” she said. “What I enjoy most about Westmoreland Gymnastics is the amazing support of my coaches and team. My coaches are spectacular and coming from a different gym in the past, I can tell you Westmoreland Gymnastics is a cut above the rest.”

The 16-year-old Jesky began her gymnastics career recreationally at age 6.

“I did recreational in the past with Westmoreland for fun, but then we moved away so I joined a team at a different gym,” Jesky said.

“My mom reached out to Westmoreland Gymnastics, and Bill welcomed me to his team this past November, and this has made an amazing difference in my life.”

Jesky has been a competitive gymnast since the age of 10. She is wrapping up her sophomore year as a student at Agora Cyber Charter School, where she has a 3.88 GPA and is a National Honor Society member.

“I go to practice four days of the week, so I don’t have much time for other sports,” Jesky said. “My expectations are to continue to advance with Westmoreland Gymnastics and to get even stronger. This season has really helped me to grow, and I can’t wait to see what the next season holds.”

Jesky believes her best event is the parallel bars, and her coach agrees. Her best score to date on the bars is a 9.7.

“I just feel bars gives me amazing freedom and a challenge at the same time,” she said. “Our coaches make us do a lot of strengthening, which has built my muscle endurance and helped it become much easier.

“Coach Bill didn’t have to take a chance on me, but he did. I am so thankful to him each and every day for allowing me to join his team. Bill and Anna work us hard, expect a lot and make us want to do even better. They set the bar high and as high as they set it, I will keep reaching for it.”

What’s next for Jesky in her rising gymnastics career?

“To upgrade her skills on all events and try to meet the requirements for a higher level,” Altman said. “Diamond is the next level, and possibly level 8.”

Westmoreland Gymnastics, located in Greensburg, has been open more than 40 years. Jesky is the school’s 35th state champion.

Ron and Jan Kolman founded the gym in 1980 and continued to run it until 2005.

According to the school’s website, Altman’s goals are “to maintain a high level of skill, help the students reach their goals, get a head start on fitness at a young age, and have fun.”

The more-than-350 students enrolled at the gym in various capacities would tend to agree.