Katelynn Sherman, 16, a junior at Twin Valley High School (TVHS), recently had great success at a national gymnastics competition held in Myrtle Beach, S.C., where she earned numerous accolades.

At the event, the 2024 Women's Development Program Level 9 Eastern Championships, gymnasts competed in four events: vault, uneven bars, balance beam and floor exercise, where a 10 is the perfect score. Katelynn earned first place on vault, with a score of 9.7; third place on floor exercise, with a score of 9.6; fourth place on uneven bars, with a score of 9.3; and fourth place on balance beam, with a score of 9.475. In addition, she won the all-around competition.

Katelynn is now the Level 9 senior national vault and all-around gymnastics champion. "I am over-the-top happy," said Katelynn.

This is Katelynn's first time competing at nationals. Last year, she was scheduled to participate, but an injury from a fall prevented that. "You had to make top seven at regionals to make the team (since) the top seven go to nationals," explained Katelynn's mother, Denetra Bauer. "This year, Katelynn ended up winning regional vault and all around-champion and placing second on beam, third on floor and seventh on bars in her division."

At nationals, Katelynn represented Region 7 Level 9 Senior 6 gymnasts, serving as their captain because of winning the all-around award in her division.

Katelynn, who started gymnastics at age 7, is currently a member of Aerial Gymnastics in Phoenixville, where she is also a coach.

Through the years, she has grown to enjoy competing and is very appreciative of the audience. "I am very aware of the crowd," she said. "I love to hear people cheering for me and being there to support Region 7 and gymnastics in general."

Katelynn said that she plans to continue gymnastics in college after high school, where she also participates in girls' varsity track.