El Paso to Host State Gymnastics Meet at Bel Air High School

El Paso will be in a unique position this weekend as Bel Air High School hosts a state event in gymnastics, a sport that is not sanctioned by the UIL in Texas. Despite this, the sport has garnered plenty of participation, with twenty boys and twenty girls teams, along with qualifying individuals, set to compete in the two-day event.

The competition will feature two sessions per day on Friday and Saturday, with tickets available for purchase online. This marks a special occasion for El Paso, as the city typically does not host high school state competitions, with events usually held in other parts of the state.

The Ysleta Independent School District is the only district in El Paso to offer gymnastics, and both the Bel Air and Eastwood teams have qualified for the state meet on the girls’ side. The Bel Air girls gymnastics team has been preparing diligently for the event, with senior Skyla Cruz expressing excitement about the opportunity to compete at their own school.

“We’re really excited to be able to host this event,” said Cruz, who will continue her gymnastics career at Centenary College of Louisiana. “We’ve had a great season and we want to showcase what type of team we have. The other teams in El Paso are strong too, and they can do well.”

The Highlanders have shown their strength throughout the season, with standout performances from athletes like Abigayle Gonzalez and Bryanna Estrada. The team’s bond and support for one another have been key to their success, and they are eager to showcase their talent on their home turf.

Longtime Bel Air gymnastics coach Kristen Schumacher is also looking forward to the event, noting that it will be a great opportunity for the program and the school. With the support of the community behind them, the Bel Air gymnastics team is poised to make a strong showing at the state meet this weekend.