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.”
F
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. “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 choose 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.”
Continued on next page >
MARS AREA
❘
SPRING 2019
15