Tumbleweed Athletics Gymnasts Shine at AAU Nationals 2026
June 19, 2026
KNOXVILLE, TN — Tumbleweed Athletics sent 17 gymnasts to the 2026 AAU Gymnastics National Championships this week, and the team delivered in spectacular fashion. From Bronze to Level 8, Tumbleweed athletes posted standout scores across vault, uneven bars, balance beam, and floor exercise — earning top placements and demonstrating the depth of talent the program has cultivated.
Here is a closer look at each athlete's performance:
Bronze Level
Paige Mackey (Sharon Springs, KS): Paige had a phenomenal meet, posting a 38.75 all-around to finish 6th — the highest all-around score among all Tumbleweed athletes at her first ever nationals. She tied for 1st on floor exercise with a 9.9 and was dominant on vault (5th tie, 9.7), cementing her status as one to keep an eye on in the years to come.
Charleigh Hilt (Saint Francis, KS): Charleigh brought her spunk and competed at her first ever nationals as a Bronze. She finished 9th all-around with a 36.775. Her vault score of 9.575 led her event performances, and she had consistent scores across all four events in her national debut.
Silver Level
Piper Ohlrogge (Colby,KS): Piper delivered an energetic performance as a Silver competitor, claiming 1st place all-around with a 38.475. She placed first on the floor exercise (9.65), uneven bars (9.775), and finished 3rd on vault (9.6). Piper truly showcased her hard work and dedication.
Octavia Rietcheck (Hoxie, KS): Octavia had an outstanding performance at nationals, earning 1st place all-around with a 38.45. She swept both uneven bars (1st, 9.675) and balance beam (1st, 9.6) in her age group, while also tying for 1st on floor exercise (9.675). An exceptional performance from start to finish.
Rynleigh Keller (Oakley, KS): Rynleigh earned a 3rd-place all-around finish (37.75) in a competitive field. She was particularly strong on floor (2nd, 9.775) and uneven bars (2nd tie, 9.5), showing consistency and confidence throughout the meet.
Georgia Studer (Goodland, KS): Georgia competed in her first nationals confidently in the Silver division, finishing 7th all-around with a 37.75. Her uneven bars performance (9.55) was a highlight, earning her 7th place, while her vault score of 9.5 kept her competitive throughout.
Eslin Walker (Goodland, KS): Eslin turned in one of the stronger all-around finishes of the week with a 38.025, placing 3rd in the Silver division. She claimed 1st place on vault (9.325) and earned a top-five floor placement (3rd tie, 9.575), making her one of Tumbleweed's standout performers.
Gold Level
Meika Dirks (Scott City, KS): Meika had a superb meet, placing 4th all-around with a 37.275. She claimed 2nd on vault (9.4) and followed it up with a 5th-place finish on uneven bars (9.375). Her 5th-place balance beam score (9.0) and 3rd-place floor (9.5) reflected excellent overall consistency.
Emelyn Lengel (Idalia, CO): Emelyn put together a solid nationals, finishing 3rd all-around with a 36.675. Her balance beam showing was exceptional — she placed 3rd with a 9.225 — and she backed it up with a 3rd-place tie on uneven bars (9.25) to round out her best event performances.
Rose Ohlrogge (Colby,KS): Rose posted a sharp 37.825 to claim 3rd all-around in the Gold division. She was especially dominant on floor exercise, placing 1st with a 9.825, while her uneven bars score of 9.6 earned her 2nd place in that event. A breakout nationals performance.
Kylin Plummer (Oakley, KS): Kylin rounded out the Gold competitors with a 37.075 all-around, placing 8th in a strong Gold field. Her vault (9.275) and balance beam (9.075) kept her competitive, and she showed determination throughout all four events.
Platinum Level
Hadleigh Ames (Scott City, KS): Hadleigh turned in a well-rounded meet, highlighted by a 9.675 on balance beam — good for 2nd place in her age group. She posted an all-around score of 36.225, placing 8th overall and anchoring her performance with a 9.25 on floor exercise.
Brynn Plummer (Oakley,KS): Brynn had a strong nationals debut in her first year competing as a platinum, earning a 3rd-place tie on balance beam with a 9.3 and finishing 4th all-around with a 36.6. Her vault score of 9.175 and floor score of 9.4 showcased her versatility.
Diamond Level
Peyton Baalman (Quinter,KS): Peyton had a standout uneven bars performance, placing 2nd with an 8.75. She finished 6th all-around with a 34.775, showing composure competing at the Diamond level on the national stage.
Kyrie Schwarz (Hoxie,KS): Kyrie rounded out the Diamond competitors with a 36.55 all-around, placing 3rd. Her balance beam score (3rd, 9.5) and uneven bars work (3rd, 9.15) were her strongest events, and she delivered a confident nationals performance.
Level 8
Billeigh Hilt (Saint Frances, KS): Billeigh was exceptional on vault, claiming 1st place with a 9.675. Her dynamic performance on floor (9.4) put her on top of the podium placing first. She rounded out her meet with a 35.025 all-around, placing 4th overall in a highly competitive level.
Jenna Herl (Hoxie,KS): Jenna turned in a steady performance as a Level 8, finishing 6th all-around with a 34.25. Her floor exercise (4th, 9.3) was a highlight, and she displayed the experience expected from a senior-level competitor throughout the meet.
In addition to their success at the state meet, seven athletes qualified for the AAU Junior Olympic Games, which will be held in August. Junior Olympic qualification is based on scores earned during each competition session, not by age group placement alone. Although gymnasts compete within their individual age divisions, all age groups within the same session are combined when determining Junior Olympic qualifiers. The top 10 scores on each event and in the all-around across the entire session earn a qualification spot to the AAU Junior Olympic Games. This makes qualifying especially competitive, as athletes are competing for a limited number of spots against every gymnast in their level competing during that session, regardless of age group.
Qualifiers from Tumbleweed include Paige, Octavia, Rynleigh, Piper, Rose, Meika, Hadleigh, Kyrie, Peyton, Jenna, and Billeigh. These athletes will have the opportunity to represent their team and compete against some of the nation’s top gymnasts at the Junior Olympic Games this August.
"We couldn't be more proud of every single athlete who competed this week," said the Tumbleweed Athletics coaching staff. "The preparation, dedication, and heart these young women displayed at nationals represents everything we stand for as a program. Knoxville was a special experience, and we can't wait to see what the future holds for this incredible group."
Tumbleweed Athletics is a competitive and recreational gymnastics club dedicated to developing athletes at every level. For more information about the program, please visit the club's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/tumbleweedathletics/