Ava Kelly didn’t have any special plans upon arrival to Southern Regional High School. Certainly, none to do with gymnastics.

“I had quit gymnastics in eighth grade, before I moved to Long Beach Island from Vineland,” said the senior gymnast, who wrapped up one of the program’s best careers earlier this month. “I had started in gymnastics when I was 3 years old and I was a Level-9 gymnast, but I was stressed out and getting mental blocks, so I thought I was ready to be done with it.