Two athletes from Swampscott’s Burke’s Tumbling Academy have secured their spots at the Xcel Regional Qualifiers, marking a significant milestone for the local program. Izzy Marcus and Evie Pastrikos will travel to Wilmington this weekend to compete against the top gymnasts from across New England and New York.
The qualification of Marcus and Pastrikos represents a first for Burke’s Tumbling Academy within the Xcel program, signaling the gym’s growing competitiveness on a regional scale. The duo earned their invitations following strong performances at the Xcel State Competition, where they navigated fields of more than 200 athletes in their respective divisions.
The competition is set to take place at the Shriners Auditorium in Wilmington, a venue known for hosting high-stakes regional sporting events. For Marcus and Pastrikos, the event is the culmination of a rigorous training schedule that demands precision, strength, and mental fortitude.
Breaking Down the Path to Regionals
The Xcel program, established by USA Gymnastics in 2013, was designed as an alternative competitive track to the traditional developmental program. It allows athletes to compete at high levels while maintaining a balance that may differ from the Olympic-track trajectory, focusing on a tiered system of skill progression.
Izzy Marcus qualified for the Xcel Gold division, a level that generally corresponds to Levels 4 and 5 in the standard developmental program. The competition in the Gold division was particularly fierce, with only the top 40 athletes advancing to the regional stage based on their all-around scores.
Evie Pastrikos advanced to the Xcel Platinum division, which is a more advanced tier comparable to Levels 6 and 7. In a broader field of competitors, Pastrikos placed among the top 59 athletes to secure her spot in the regional qualifiers.
| Athlete | Xcel Division | Dev. Level Equivalent | Regional Cut-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Izzy Marcus | Gold | Levels 4-5 | Top 40 |
| Evie Pastrikos | Platinum | Levels 6-7 | Top 59 |
The Discipline Behind the Performance
The transition from state-level success to regional qualification is rarely a matter of luck. According to coach Sam Amico, the success of Marcus and Pastrikos is rooted in a disciplined training environment at Burke’s Tumbling Academy.
“As coaches we hope that these athletes are able to execute their routines just how we do at practice,” Amico said. “They are in the gym four days a week working to their full potential.”
This commitment to consistency is a hallmark of the Xcel program, which spans six distinct levels: bronze, silver, gold, platinum, diamond, and sapphire. Each level introduces more complex maneuvers and higher requirements for execution, requiring athletes to master their current tier before ascending.
A Growing Legacy for Burke’s Tumbling
While Marcus and Pastrikos are the first from the academy to qualify for Xcel regionals, they are part of a larger trend of success for the Swampscott-based facility. The academy has recently demonstrated its ability to produce championship-caliber talent across different gymnastics disciplines.
In April, Burke’s Tumbling sent Grace Morrison and Andie Maregni to the regional championships, further establishing the gym as a hub for competitive growth in the North Shore area. The combined success of these athletes suggests a rising standard of coaching and athlete development within the organization.
The emotional weight of the achievement is evident for the coaching staff, who view the regional qualification as a testament to the athletes’ resilience and hard work. “We are extremely proud of these girls and cannot wait for this weekend to see them compete!” Amico said.
As Marcus and Pastrikos prepare for the Shriners Auditorium, the focus shifts from qualification to execution. The regional qualifiers serve as a critical benchmark for athletes aiming to refine their scores and potentially move higher within the USA Gymnastics hierarchy.
The next confirmed checkpoint for the athletes is the regional competition this weekend, where their final scores will determine their standing among the elite gymnasts of the Northeast.
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