Wilmette Xcel Gymnastics Team Brings Home Five State Titles

The Wilmette Park District’s Xcel Gymnastics Team delivered an outstanding performance at the 2025 Illinois Xcel State Championships, held April 4–6 at Illinois State University in Normal, IL. Competing against the top gymnasts from across the state, the team brought home five individual State Championship titles, including an All-Around Champion, and earned 14 Regional Championship qualifiers.

State Champions

Wilmette gymnasts earned the highest scores in every individual event and the all-around:

• Vault: Jagoda Jablonska (11) – 9.7
• Bars: Jenna Sonnenschein (11) – 9.85
• Beam: Sarah Kaplan (11) – 9.625
• Floor: Amber Ruey (12) – 9.75
• All-Around: Charlotte Van Horn (11) – 37.525

On to Regionals

Fourteen program athletes have qualified for the 2025 Regional Championships in Indiana in early May. Among them, All-Around State Champion Charlotte Van Horn and Floor State Champion Amber Ruey, as well as Eloise Sisco, Olivia Peterka, and Avery Ross, earned spots on the Illinois State Team and were selected as top-eight all-around gymnasts in the state for their respective age groups, a significant honor. These State Team representatives will also walk in the Grand March-In Ceremony, a celebration of the top talent from Region 5, which includes gymnasts from Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, and Ohio.

Celebrating a Milestone Season

This incredible showing is a proud moment for the Wilmette Park District, reflecting the strength of its gymnastics program and the dedication of its athletes and coaches. To have a state champion in every event, an all-around champion, and nearly the entire team advance to Regionals is an extraordinary achievement that speaks volumes about the commitment, talent, and passion behind the scenes and on the mat.

We’ll follow closely as these athletes continue their journey at Regionals next month. Stay tuned for updates as we cheer on this remarkable group of gymnasts.