Salute Gymnastics Wins Six State Titles

Iowa youth gymnastics program dominates at state championships

Apr. 17, 2026 at 12:11pm

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting a gymnastics competition, with sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in vibrant primary colors representing the dynamic movements and energy of the sport.Salute Gymnastics' state championship victories showcase the program's dedication to cultivating young talent through a dynamic, geometric artistic interpretation.Bettendorf Today

Salute Gymnastics, a youth gymnastics program in Bettendorf, Iowa, competed against 35 other gyms from across the state at the 2026 Xcel State Championships and brought home six individual state championships, including titles in vault, beam, and all-around.

Why it matters

Salute Gymnastics' strong performance at the state championships highlights the program's success in developing young gymnasts and its ability to compete at a high level against other top programs in Iowa. The program's accomplishments demonstrate its commitment to excellence and its positive impact on the local gymnastics community.

The details

Salute Gymnastics' state champions include Madeline Andersen on vault and all-around, Charlie Boots on beam, and Amelia Hernandez on uneven bars, floor exercise, and all-around. The program's impressive showing at the state meet is a testament to the hard work and dedication of its coaches and athletes.

  • The 2026 Xcel State Championships were held from March 27-29 in Bettendorf, Iowa.

The players

Salute Gymnastics

A youth gymnastics program based in Bettendorf, Iowa that competed at the 2026 Xcel State Championships.

Madeline Andersen

A gymnast from Salute Gymnastics who won state titles in vault and all-around.

Charlie Boots

A gymnast from Salute Gymnastics who won the state championship on beam.

Amelia Hernandez

A gymnast from Salute Gymnastics who won state titles on uneven bars, floor exercise, and all-around.

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What they’re saying

“We are so proud of our gymnasts and their accomplishments at the state meet. Their hard work and dedication have paid off, and we look forward to seeing them continue to excel in the future.”

— Samantha Johnson, Head Coach, Salute Gymnastics

What’s next

Salute Gymnastics will now prepare to compete at the regional championships, where they hope to qualify additional gymnasts for the national championships.

The takeaway

Salute Gymnastics' dominant performance at the state championships demonstrates the program's commitment to developing talented young gymnasts and its ability to compete at the highest levels of youth gymnastics in Iowa.