Courtesy photo Taylor Artley and Theresa Pascoe pose following the Michigan Recreational Gymnastics League state championships March 19 in Vassar.

ESCANABA — The month of March brought success on several fronts for Escanaba gymnastics program and Triple A Gymnastics as 10-year-old Taylor Artley captured the Michigan Recreational Gymnastics League State Championship for her division while coach Theresa Pascoe was named coach of the year at the high school level.

In addition to Artley, three other Triple A gymnasts — Lily Benetti, Sophie Hill and Rayne Martin qualified for the state competition. While Benetti and Hill competed at the MRGL event, Martin was unable to as she took part in a state final swimming meet the same day.

For Artley, the title came as somewhat of a surprise.

“It feels good,” Artley commented about the win. “I was shocked and excited, just really excited.”

Artley finished with a first-place all-around score of 32.2 with scores of 8.3 on vault (2nd), 7.5 for bars (1st), 7.9 on beam (4th) and 8.5 on floor (2nd).

Artley — who performed her floor routine to the song Uptown Funk — commented that floor is her favorite of all the gymnastics events.

“(I like floor) because I like to dance and tumble,” she said.

Artley has been competing in gymnastics since three and a half years old, following in her mother Danielle’s footsteps. She hopes to continue the family tradition of gymnastics into the years ahead.

In addition to the competitive side of the sport, Artley also noted her enjoyment of the team aspect and the friends she’s made both on her team and from others around the state.

Also important to Artley has been the relationship that has developed with coach Pasco over the years.

“She’s nice, she pushes me to do harder stuff to get me better, and she’s funny, really funny,” she said. “She’s become family.”

Pascoe noted how proud she was of Artley — as well as Benetti and Hill who tied for fifth on vault — for their performances.

“I am so proud of Taylor and her good work ethic,” Pascoe commented. “She is the leader in the gym and is very enthusiastic, and the girls follow her lead. … She is a naturally talented young lady who has a very bright future in gymnastics.”

Like Artley, Pascoe was surprised when she learned of her coach of the year award.

“I was sitting at home with my husband Dan on Saturday, March 12 when I got a text message from a coach from Jackson High School congratulating me on coach of the year,” she said. “I sent a text back telling her, ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about.’ She texted back and said it was just announced at the State Gymnastics Final. … I started crying and explained to my husband why I was crying. I just couldn’t believe it.

“After 38 years of coaching high school gymnastics, I was awarded with such an honor. Being named coach of the year was unbelievable.”

Triple A made the move to MRGL this year from USA Gymnastics. The move, said Pascoe, is a positive one for multiple reasons.

“Our team decided to compete in MRGL because it is a good feeder program to high school gymnastics, and we want our gymnasts to be prepared in our schools,” she said. “There are approximately 12 schools that participate in the league. We follow all the by-laws of the MHSAA, so the gymnasts know what to expect now and when they’re participating for their high school down the road.”

Triple A currently has eight competitive gymnasts — Artley, Bennetti, Hill, Martin, Mara Bradfield, Camille Richer, Ava Ryno and Ruby Zambon — and Pascoe hopes to add to that next year.

For the Escanaba Eskymos high school program, Pascoe is confident for next year as well.

“I know that our team can be just as strong next year with only two seniors (graduating at year-end),” she said. “The girls will continue to work hard and, hopefully, we can pick up a few more gymnasts to add to next year’s team.”