PVSG gymnasts reflect on NGA Nationals trip​

BANGOR, Maine (WABI) - Penobscot Valley School of Gymnastics came away with 24 medals at the NGA Nationals earlier this month in Orlando, Fla.

It’s the culmination of their year-long training calendar with the two-month state-to-national ramp-up into June.

“We’re in here as much as possible. We just really just try to bust routines out over and over again, try to get them perfect, and change every little thing so we can score as high as possible,” said Brennan Owens, Level 7 gymnast, placed 9th overall, 6th on balance beam.

“I definitely upgraded a lot this season. I came in like an hour early for the school year to work on harder skills or fix my connections because I had a really hard time on beam this year,” said Samarra Coombs, Level 6 gymnast, placed 1st overall.

“We all support each other really well. We cheer each other on, and we just bring each other up when we’re having a tough time,” said Khloe Grass, Level Gold gymnast, placed 13th overall.

Coombs spoke about winning the national all-around championship at Level 6.

She qualified for a national training camp for the top 10 scoring athletes.

“(It feels) really good. I’ve been wanting to win regionals for three years, then I didn’t. Then I won nationals, so it made up for it,” said Coombs.

Making it to this stage is special for the gymnasts.

“It’s the biggest meet of the year, and we all have been working really hard for it all year long. You have to get a good night’s sleep, eat good, be mentally prepared for it, and be ready,” said Grass.

“Oh my gosh, it’s actually insane. Even just in the hotels, you see gymnasts walking around. Even if it’s not your day, you recognize people after. Being in that building, it was such a huge building. There’s so many things happening. It was just amazing. We met so many new people,” said Owens.

The PVSG team’s 12-person lineup included seven Level 3 gymnasts, two Level 5 gymnasts, and one each at Levels 6 and 7, plus one Gold gymnast.