JEWISH GYMNASTICS INVITATIONAL—(From left back) Mittleman Jewish Community Center Gymnasitcs Coach Melissa Burgess, two-time Olympic Gold Medalist Bart Conner, reigning U.S. Men’s National All-Around Champion David Sender and Portland gymnasts (front) Elayna Caron, Rachael Diamond and Melissa Diamond met during the 2009 Maccabiah Gymnastics Team Trials.

 

 

JULIE CARON PHOTO

MJCC gymnasts compete in national Maccabi meet

By JEWISH REVIEW

article created on: 2009-01-01T00:00:00

Three Level 5 Mittleman Jewish Community Center girls gymnasts, Rachael Diamond, 10, Elayna Caron, 11, Melissa Diamond, 12, and their coach Melissa Burgess, competed at the Jewish Gymnastics Invitational meet Dec. 6 and 7 at the Bart Conner Gymnastics Academy in Oklahoma City, Okla.

The Invitational meet was presented as part of the 2009 Maccabiah Gymnastics Team Trials, the competition to select the top gymnasts to represent the United States in Israel for the Maccabiah Games in July 2009. The weekend was hosted by the University of Oklahoma Hillel and the Jewish Federations of Oklahoma City and Tulsa, which mobilized a “Shalom, Y’all” welcome effort that included Havdallah at Hillel followed by a banquet dinner.

Approximately 325 gymnasts, coaches and parents attended, with Levels 2 through 10 competing. Special guest Jonathan Horton, silver and bronze Olympic medalist, Men’s Gymnastics, Beijing 2008 greeted and encouraged young gymnasts.

Portland gymnasts placed as follows: Rachael Diamond, 8th floor exercise, 10th beam; Elayna Caron, 6th beam, 9th all around; and Melissa Diamond, 7th floor exercise, 9th beam, 10th all around.

For more information about the MJCC Girls Team, co-ed Tumble and Trampoline or recreational gymnastics, visit www.oregonjcc.org, or call 503-244-0111.