District gymnastics: Highland's Ally Gryskiewicz, Brunswick's Delaney McKelvy advance to state

HUDSON — There was no room for error on the second day of the Hudson District gymnastics meet. With athletes from 31 schools battling for six state berths in each event, every small wobble or imperfect landing was critical. Highland senior Ally Gryskiewicz and Brunswick senior Delaney McKelvy both rose to the occasion Sunday. Gryskiewicz finished fifth on the balance beam and McKelvy placed sixth on the uneven parallel bars, locking up their initial state appearances in what could have been the final meet of their careers. "I have competed this sport for 16-plus years, so achieving what was my biggest goal means so much," McKelvy said. "Everything happens for a reason. To be going to state with other Medina County girls is very special." Medina's Anna Schork and Buckeye's Nevaeh Sejka each qualified in multiple events Saturday, marking the first time that four local schools will be represented at state since 2022. The meet takes place March 8 at Hilliard Bradley. Fourth-year letterwinners Gryskiewicz and McKelvy were under more pressure than most inside the unusually warm Buck Hyser Gymnasium. The former only took part in the beam and floor exercise, while the latter was strictly competing on the bars. Gryskiewicz, who is the entire Hornets team, was in a rotation with district runner-up Magnificat and 2025 state beam co-champion Molly Francis. Both of them figuratively knocked it out of the park to the delight of the rest of the Blue Streaks. Francis won the event with a 9.55 and Gryskiewicz netted a season-high 9.2. "It turned out well," Gryskiewicz said. "Everything I've been working on was focused toward hitting this routine when it counts. I'm very proud and very excited to be going to state." She later established another 2025-26 best with an 8.975 on the floor, finishing 11th. "Ally had one goal for her senior year, she wanted to make state on beam," Highland coach Jennifer Lewis said. "I don't think I've ever met such a driven kid. She really is a great girl and I'm very proud of her." McKelvy was forced to play the waiting game as Brunswick began on the floor, then vaulted before heading to the bars. She nailed her routine, which included a handstand on the high bar and a series of truly giant swings for an 8.975. Upon learning that she was in the final qualifying spot, McKelvy said she became "paranoid, calculating things in my head" while Twinsburg, Mentor and Willoughby South sent 13 total girls to the station trying to knock her out. "Oh, my gosh, I kept looking back to the scoreboard while we were on the beam," McKelvy said. "Our team dynamic is very hyped up, but this was probably the calmest we've been all year. That helped a little bit." The Blue Devils scored a season-high 136.775 points and were fourth in the field of 16 full teams, two positions out of a state berth. Eight of their 11 participants contributed to the team score with senior Madison Dempsey counting toward it in each event. Senior Elli Rahas finished 11th on the beam and 14th on the bars, and Dempsey was 13th on the beam and 14th in the all-around. The sixth 12th-graders on Brunswick's roster were part of its back-to-back state team qualifiers in 2023 and 2024. "I've been with these seniors since they were literally in preschool," Blue Devils coach Jacqueline George said with tears in her eyes. "They're not sad because they didn't make it to state. They're all sad because it's over. "The journey truly has been great, but that doesn't make it any easier right now." Contact Brian Dulik at sports@medina-gazette.com.