our local star senior gymnasts
have received college
scholarships to continue
their gymnastic careers. Zoe
Schweitzer, Emily Cyphers,
Karla Frank and Amy
Krueger are all Level 10 gymnasts with
X-Cel Gymnastics, located in Cranberry
Township, and have been studying for years.
Zoe Schweitzer, 17, and her parents,
Bill and Michelle, have lived in Mars for
12 years. Zoe attends PA Cyber Charter
School, and will be graduating with her
high school diploma a semester early.
With the extra time, she hopes to jump-
start her college education with summer
courses at a local community college.
Zoe began gymnastics at a young
age. “I’ve always loved to flip. I knew I
truly loved it when I started competing
at 6 years old.” Zoe trains 25+ hours a
week, year round at X-Cel Gymnastics
on the Xquisite Gymnastics team, and
is coached by Lindsey Stancil. She’s
traveled the country for competitions and
has qualified for Junior Olympic ( JO)
Nationals as a Level 10 three times. “One
of my favorite memories was training in
Scotland with the Region 7 All-Star Team
and watching World Championships,”
she says. “I’ve loved traveling, competing
and having fun with my team.”
Zoe is no stranger to accolades, having
won the JO National Uneven Bars title in
2015. She’s also received the Xquisite Pride
Award at X-Cel’s annual banquet twice.
Additionally, she’s won several state and
regional titles in her years as a Level 10.
“Gymnastics is important to me because
of the people, experiences and lessons
it’s taught me,” says Zoe. “I have learned
patience, goal setting and the importance of
celebrating small victories each day. Dealing
with injuries and failures has shown me that
everything happens for a reason, and to find
the positives in a situation. It has shaped me
into the person I am today and continues
to build my character. I believe the lessons
learned will help me for the rest of my life.
I am very thankful to have gymnastics, and
for the people it has brought into my life.”
Zoe has signed with Ohio State
University on a full scholarship for
gymnastics. She will be going in undecided
but has an interest in sports nutrition.
F
“I have been verbally committed with
Ohio State since the beginning of 9th
grade,” she says. “I knew Ohio State was
meant for me when I left my first visit,
and already wanted to go back. The
people, the tradition and the excellence
are what Ohio State is known for—and
perfectly describe the school. I am looking
forward to continuing my education
and gymnastics career at Ohio State, as
well as improving myself as a person.”
Emily Cyphers is the daughter of
Edward and Holly Cyphers and they are
residents of Cranberry Township. Emily
is a senior at Seneca Valley High School,
and is a member of the National Honors
Society, Science National Honors Society
and, of course, X-Cel Gymnastics.
“I learned my first steps to handstands
in a Mommy and Me class at My Gym and
quickly mastered their zip line and rings,”
says Emily. “Later, I went to a birthday
party at X-Cel and was hooked ever since. I
joined their Development Team in 2008.”
Emily trains with Head Coach Lindsey
Stancil, owner of X-Cel Gymnastics, and
Coach Nate Culichia. She has been a Level
10 gymnast since 2015—the highest
level in the JO Program. Additionally,
she’s been part of X-Cel’s Competitive
Team—Xquisite—since 2010. “High-
level gymnastic training starts at a very
young age,” she says. “It takes double day
practices year-round for 10+ years, training
30 hours a week, all while balancing going
to school. It demands desire, strength,
flexibility, agility, balance and dedication
to practice to master the skills.”
Emily is a four-time Level 10 State and
Regional Qualifier. In 2015 she placed fifth
on vault, and then 10th on vault in 2016.
She placed eighth on bars in 2017, and in
Region 7 she tied for seventh on vault and
finished 12th All Around at the Regional
competition in 2016. She earned a third-
place finish on vault at the 2018 Twistars
Michigan Invitational in Region 5 and was
also a National Qualifier in 2014, placing
4th AA, 11th on Vault, 8th on Bars, 5th
on Beam and 6th on Floor. She tied for
second place All Around at the Regional
competition, placing 9th on Vault, 8th
on Bars, 5th on Beam and 6th on Floor.
“I chose gymnastics because of the
challenge it offers me,” says Emily.
“It’s one of the toughest sports to
master and the reward is like no
other. Gymnastics prepares you for
life and makes you stronger.”
Emily signed her National Letter of
Intent last November and will join the
Falcon gymnastics family at Bowling
Green State University in 2019. She
received a full athletic scholarship as
well as two additional merit academic
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