Level 9 Western Nationals Results: NCG Athletes Land Multiple Top 10 Finishes and Sweep Region 1 Team Titles
Boise, Idaho | April 30 to May 3, 2026 North County Gymnastics & The Gyminny Kids Carlsbad
The 2026 Women's Development Program Level 9 Western Championships took place at Idaho Central Arena in Boise, Idaho, from April 30 through May 3, 2026. This is one of the highest-level competitions in the country for Level 9 athletes, bringing together the top gymnasts from across the western United States.
North County Gymnastics & The Gyminny Kids Carlsbad was proud to have three athletes qualify and compete at this national-level event, representing Region 1 against Regions 2, 3, and 4.
What It Takes to Get Here
For families who may not be familiar with the competitive pathway, getting to Western Nationals is a multi-step process that only a small percentage of gymnasts achieve.
Step 1: Qualifying to Regionals
Gymnasts must first compete at the State Championships and achieve a qualifying score to advance to the Regional Championships. Regionals include the best athletes from:
California
Arizona
Nevada
Utah
At this level, the competition becomes significantly tighter, and routines must be consistent, clean, and performed under pressure.
Step 2: Qualifying to Western Nationals
From Regionals, only the top 7 athletes in each age group advance to Western Nationals.
This means each gymnast competing in Boise is:
Among the top 7 in their entire region
Competing against the best from multiple states
Representing their region on a national stage
Each athlete is also part of their Regional Team, competing for team placement against Region 2, Region 3, and Region 4, some of the strongest gymnastics regions in the country.
North County Gymnastics Carlsbad Results
Jacqueline Hernandez
Junior 4 | Region 1 Team – 1st Place
Jacqueline delivered one of the strongest all-around performances of the meet and played a key role in Region 1 taking first place.
Top 10 Finishes:
Vault: 9.675 (7th place tie)
Beam: 9.325 (3rd place)
Floor: 9.400 (4th place)
All-Around: 37.425 (5th place)
Finishing in the top 5 all-around at Western Nationals is an elite accomplishment and reflects years of disciplined training, quality coaching, and supportive parents.
Melody Martin
Junior 7 | Region 1 Team – 1st Place
Melody stepped onto a national stage and delivered when it counted, highlighted by a standout floor performance.
Top 10 Finishes:
Vault: 9.600 (9th place tie)
Floor: 9.600 (3rd place)
All-Around: 37.425 (7th place)
Her ability to perform under pressure and secure a top-3 finish on the floor speaks to her confidence, preparation, and presentation.
Reese Smith
Junior 7 | Region 1 Team – 1st Place
Reese was part of the championship Region 1 team, contributing to a first-place finish against some of the strongest regions in the country.
Competing at Western Nationals places Reese among the top athletes in the western United States, and being part of a first-place regional team is a significant achievement.
What This Level Represents
To put this into perspective, these athletes have progressed through:
Local competitions
State Championships
Regional Championships
Western Nationals
At each step, the level of competition increases, the margin for error decreases, and the expectations rise.
This is about:
Showing up consistently over the years
Working through setbacks and injuries
Building confidence through repetition
Learning how to perform when it matters most
A Message from Daniel Gundert
As a coach, a former judge, and a parent of competitive gymnasts, I understand what it takes to reach this level.
These athletes have earned their place here. Nothing about this process is easy, and there are no shortcuts.
I am incredibly proud of Jacqueline, Melody, and Reese for representing North County Gymnastics & The Gyminny Kids on a national stage, not just for their results, but for how they prepared, how they competed, and how they carried themselves throughout the process.
Why This Matters for Families
Even if your child is starting, this is the long-term value of gymnastics.
Gymnastics teaches:
Discipline and consistency
Focus and emotional control
Confidence built through preparation
Resilience through adversity
Gymnastics is the foundation for all sports. Start with gymnastics, go anywhere!
Quick Links
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Where does North County Gymnastics train competitive athletes?
North County Gymnastics & The Gyminny Kids trains competitive gymnastics athletes at multiple San Diego locations, including:
Proudly Serving Families In:
• 4S Ranch
• Poway
• Carlsbad
• La Costa
FAQs
What is the Level 9 Western National Championship? It is one of the highest-level competitions in the USA Gymnastics Development Program for Level 9 athletes in the western United States.
How do gymnasts qualify for Regionals? Gymnasts must achieve a qualifying score at their State Championships to advance to Regionals.
How do gymnasts qualify for Western Nationals? Only the top 7 athletes in each age group at Regionals qualify for Western Nationals.
How competitive is this level? Extremely competitive. Athletes competing at this level are among the top in their region and have trained for years to reach this stage.
Can beginners eventually reach this level? Yes. Many athletes begin in recreational gymnastics classes and progress through structured training.
