Springfield’s Katie O’Rourke captured the Junior D all-around and balance beam titles at the U.S. Gymnastics Association’s Level 10 Regional meet on April 26 in Newport News, Va.
With a composite score of 37.3 (out of 40), O’Rourke, a J.E.B. Stuart sophomore, beat 25 Level 10 gymnasts representing six different states. O’Rourke posted a meet-best 9.45 on the balance beam.
In March, she won the overall title and balance beam at the Capital Cup event, and posted her highest-ever individual event score at the Atlantic City Star Struck meet when she earned a 9.825 on the balance beam. In April, she won the Maryland State Floor Championship.
O’Rourke, who competes locally for the MarVaTeens Gymnastics Club in Rockville, Md., will now compete in USGA’s Junior Olympic National meet being held May in Kissimmee, Fla.
After making it to the Junior Olympic National meet in 2007 for the first time, she knew only hard work, and a focus to succeed would get her back in 2008.
“Once you’ve made it to the Nationals, it just makes you want to get back even more,” O’Rourke said in a contributed press release. “It’s an amazing atmosphere, with some great gymnasts, but it makes all of the long practice hours throughout the year worth it.”
O’Rourke is hoping to continue her gymnastics and compete at the NCAA collegiate level.
“College meets have such a high energy level, with such a team oriented focus, I would love to experience that,” she said in a release. “But for now, I’ve only got 3 weeks to get ready for nationals. The other gymnasts are so good, you not only have to bring your A-game, you have to make it even better.”