The YMCA of Greater Brandywine recently welcomed more than 200 gymnasts from across the state to the 2022 YMCA Pennsylvania State Gymnastics Championships.

The competition was the first one held in the new Donna Watters Training Center located at the Oscar Lasko YMCA in downtown West Chester.   

“We are honored to host this competition, and it is especially meaningful as it is our first meet in our new training center,” said Donna Watters, the coach after whom the center is named.  

The Oscar Lasko YMCA gymnastics team, the GYMCATs, had nearly 50 athletes between the ages of 11 and 18 compete. The GYMCATs is a competitive gymnastics team where members can develop their skills and abilities while competing in meets. Recreational and preschool programs are also available.

“These competitions allow our gymnasts to challenge themselves and compete against some of the most talented athletes in the state,” said Watters. “We have seven graduating seniors this year, so hosting the meet at our new training facility is so much more meaningful. They’re a strong and dedicated group of young athletes, and we’re thrilled to help them end their GYMCATs career with a sense of normalcy. They deserve it.”   

Watters, who founded the GYMCATs program and has dedicated more than 35 years to its growth, retired as the program director in 2018. The new training center was dedicated in early 2022. She remains with the program as a coach.

For more information about the YMCA’s gymnastics program, visit the website or contact Megan Hartman at mhartman@ymcagbw.org.