Capturing a state championship is a rare feat.

Winning a pair of state championships is something only a select group of athletes will ever experience.

A few weeks ago, Alex Feller put herself in that group when she captured a two gold medals at the 2023 Pennsylvania State Xcel Gymnastics Championships.

Feller, who is a member of the Tumble with Denise gymnastic team in Lehighton, captured first-place finishes on the uneven bars and also in the vault during the competition in Lewisburg.

She recorded outstanding scores of 9.375 in the uneven bars and 9.275 in the vault, Those numbers - combined with solid marks in both the floor and balance beam - helped Feller finish second in the state in her class in the All-Around competition with a 36.85 score.

“My heart just swelled for her that day,” said mother Victoria Feller as she shared the moment with her daughter from the sidelines. “My husband (Matthew) and I were so proud to see her hard work pay off. Just to see the surprise on her face – made it all worth it.

“Walking away with top medals is always important but it was also a huge confidence booster for her. I loved that for her.”

The achievements and awards weren’t finished for Feller, however, Her outstanding performance at States, qualified her for the Eastern Regional competition in State College where Alex competed against gymnasts from her home states as well as Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Virginia, and West Virginia.

The Lehighton High School junior had another outstanding performance at Regionals capturing gold in the uneven bars with a 9.725 score and finishing seventh in the All-Around with a 36.775.

“It takes coaches who want to see you succeed, dedication to a consistent practice schedule, and great teammates who cheer you on,” Alex said about the elements that led to her outstanding season,

Feller’s success this past season was also an accumulation of year’s of hard word and dedication to the sport,

“I really don’t know where to begin with Alex. I have had her as a gymnast for so many years,” said her Denise Maradeo - the owner of and coach at Tumble with Denise. “Alex is a super hard worker. I don’t think everything came as naturally to her as it does for some kids. She has to work for everything she gets, But that’s what Alex does. She works extremely hard and it has paid off for her.”

Maradeo, who suggested competing in Xcel to Feller years ago, said it’s a highly competitive program.

“They’re not like Olympic driven girls (competing in Xcel),” explained Maradeo. “But they all still aspire to compete and do well,”

Her success this season has Feller excited about the future.

“Obviously I’d love to go to States and Regionals again,” she said. “But you can’t look that far ahead. I will focus on the new skills, the new routines and perfecting all of the details that make the difference in qualifying or not qualifying.”

But all of Feller’s time between now and then won’t be spent solely on working toward her own gymnastic goals.

She also serves as an instructor, training those who try to follow in her footsteps at Tumble with Denise.

“I remember the coaches I had who made me feel special when I was younger, and I want the girls coming up behind me to feel the same way,” she Feller said. “I take all the good things they showed me, add what I’ve learned that works for me, and help them to find their smile.

“I want them to go home to their families talking about their class with as much happiness as I did.”

Feller’s ability to put so much effort and dedication into everything she does is the thing that Maradeo admires most about her.

“I know she would come right from the track (she is a member of the Lehighto High School track and field team in the spring) to the gym, and then would get right to work whether it was practice her own routines or teaching others,” Maradeo said. “Between school and homework, practicing and teaching gymnastics, and competing in track ... she is constantly on the go.

“But she just doesn’t do a lot of things - she does a lot of things very well. She’s an honor student in school, she’s an extremely successful gymnast, and she’s great with the younger at our gym. Alex is just a really, really special person.”