×

Teen’s love of gymnastics leads to National competition

PHOTO PROVIDED Darbi Simcox of Lock Haven competes on the vault at a recent gymnastics meet. Simcox recently qualified for the US Level 9 National Championships.

LOCK HAVEN — She just turned 13 years old, but Darbi Simcox seems poised to make a big name for herself in the world of gymnastics.

The daughter of Nichole and Jesse Simcox of Lock Haven, Darbi qualified to the US Level 9 National Championships and will be competing in the Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee, Fla., May 8-12.

“This is a great accomplishment for Darbi, as she is a first-year level 9 gymnast,” commented her coach, Rob Tagge, who trains Darbi at Dynamats Gymnastics Center in Muncy. Level 9 is two levels below the Olympic level, Tagge said.

Darbi was competing at the US Region 7 Championships in Virginia Beach when she qualified for nationals, placing 7th all-around with a 36.925, and placing her on the Region 7 team in the Junior 3 age group. In order to make the team, Darbi had to beat out gymnasts from New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and Pennsylvania. Darbi also medaled on uneven bars and vault with scores of 9.325 and 9.375, respectively.

Darbi will compete in floor, vault, bars and beam at the Nationals.

PHOTO PROVIDED Darbi Simcox of Lock Haven is all smiles following a recent gymnastics meet. Simcox trains at Dynamats Gymnastics Center in Muncy.

Although competing in four events, her mother said, “she excels at vaults… it’s comfortable for her. Bars is her favorite, it’s more challenging,” Nichole said.

It’s been seven years since Darbi started competing at a gym in New York state where the family formerly lived. When the family moved to Lock Haven five years ago, Darbi began training and competing at the Dynamats Gymnastics Center.

She started really excelling and standing out last year and qualified for the Pennsylvania Premiere Team, competing against the top eight gymnasts in in the Regionals, which includes gymnasts from six states –Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia and West Virginia, her mother continued.

She’s really dedicated, Nichole said.

“There have been many things she’s missed because of her dedication to this sport. She gives up dances and other things to practice. It’s her choice. We tell her she should go to some of these events, but she insists it’s more important to practice. And when she does, she wins,” Nichole said.

And it’s kinda funny how it all began, he mother said.

“While her brothers were playing baseball, Darbi was doing cart wheels. She was always upside down,” Nichole said with a laugh.

A 7th grade student at Central Mountain Middle School, Darbi takes some of her classes online so she can train more at the gym, her mother said.

“It’s mind blowing how she became so interested in the sport and gives up so much to perfect it. She really likes it. Her ultimate goal is to compete in college and see where things take her,” her mother said.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $3.69/week.

Subscribe Today