About Xcel Bonze

The purpose of the Xcel Bronze Program is to present gymnasts the opportunity to participate in competition and/or provide former Junior Olympic competitive gymnasts the opportunity to continue competition without the intense time commitment. The goal of the Xcel Program at Emeth is to challenge each and every athlete’s limits and abilities by providing enjoyable, yet challenging practices and competitions. The Xcel program also allows for gymnasts who are exceeding (or progressing faster) in some areas such as Floor and Beam to continue to progress at this excelled pace, and be challenged in these events, but at the same time continue to work in the other events. This allows the gymnast not to become “bored” or find themselves in a situation that they are not prepared for or “over their head”.

Bronze is the first level of Xcel gymnastics. It is comparable to Junior Olympic levels 2-3. The gymnasts will train on all four apparatus and compete routines on each event that have been specifically choreographed to showcase their strengths. At Emeth the Bronze group allows for the diverse skill range of the gymnast to be properly managed. Please see the chart below or for more information on Xcel at Emeth.

The Xcel Gymnastics Program and Competitions is sanctioned by USA Gymnastics. USA Gymnastics is the governing body of gymnastics in the United States. USA Gymnastics wanted to provide an alternative to the Junior Olympic Program (which requires a tremendous amount of time commitment) where gymnasts could continue their participation in gymnastics and have the opportunity to compete, yet with limited time commitment in the gym. There are currently 4 levels in the Xcel Program; Silver, Gold, Platinum & Diamond. More information about USAG Xcel in general, or more information on Xcel at Emeth.

Gymnasts are responsible for designing their own Bar, Beam and Floor routines as well as selecting their Vault. Gymnasts are responsible for obtaining their own floor music.

• Rachel is Emeth’s dance instructor and should be involved in the choreographing of the floor routine. To schedule a private session with Rachel click here, or use the parent resource page for more information. 
• Heather Leshovsky, and Nikki Arnold help design and choreograph the Bar and Beam routines as well as selecting the proper vault skill. To schedule a private session with them click here, or use the parent resource page for more information.
• Important dates to remember during the off season for designing your routines are found on our parent resource page or here.

The Xcel COMPETITIVE YEAR is defined as the period from August 1 through July 31. See the complete schedule for the competition season.

• Mobility between the Bronze, Silver and Gold divisions is at the coaches discretion taking the gymnasts skill level and experience into consideration.
• Gymnasts must score a 31.00 (AA) All Around or an 8.00 on an Event (IES) Individual Event Specialist to move from Gold to Platinum or from Platinum to Diamond.
• Since this program is an alternative/separate program it CANNOT BE USED TO SATISFY MOBILITY REQUIREMENTS IN THE JO PROGRAM.

For more information about Skills required for this level please review Skills, and for a definition of skills.

Practice Schedule

Excel Bronze gymnasts practice 2 days a week.

Click for a full practice schedule

Bronze Coaches

Taylor Prince is the head coach for Xcel Bronze, Taylor Prince is supported by Nikki Arnold,  Jim Leshovsky and Heather Leshovsky. If you wish to schedule a private lesson with your coach, please feel free to Schedule one

Highlighted Gymnast or Accomplishments

For a complete list of all of our gymnasts accomplishments, click here

Meet the 2014-2015 Team

When asked how their first year of team is going so far, the Bronze team responds with a resounding, “Great!”

Seven-year-old Emily Buck, nine-year-olds Paxton Moore, Sophia Sinito, and Alyssa Lower, and twelve-year-old Megan Sherrill make up this season’s Bronze team at Emeth. They are having fun, enjoying new challenges, and setting goals for the upcoming competition season.

“Everyone on the team is so nice,” says Emily. “We are all friends.”

Paxton agrees, “It has been so fun to meet new friends. I really like that I get to practice more often now.”

Megan enjoys the new challenges that team brings. “I really like learning the routines,” she reports.

“It’s not easy,” adds Alyssa. “It’s definitely more challenging, but it’s good too because new challenges are fun!”

The girls are also working together to set goals for the season. They are excited about learning how to do their back handsprings, front tucks, and how squat to jump onto the high bar.

“Miss Taylor is doing such a good job coaching us,” says Sophia.

“She pushes us because she loves us!” adds Alyssa.

Welcome to the Bronze team, ladies! Congratulations on all of your hard work, and good luck on your upcoming season!