On November 7, Savannah Robbins, Julianna Robbins and Julia Skellie, under their coach, Jana Williamson of Foothills Gymnastic Academy of Tryon, traveled to Hickory, N.C. for the Harvest Hoedown Gymnastic Competition.

This was the girls first competition of the season. Other well known teams who attended were Southeastern, Sonshine and Shooting Stars Gymnastics.

The Robbins sisters competed at level 4 beginning at 10:30 a.m. Savannah, age 11, and Julianna, age 8, are the daughters of Arthur and Joy Robbins of Columbus. Julianna is in the third grade at Tryon Elementary School and Savannah is in the sixth grade at Polk County Middle School.

Julianna and Savannah began on bars. In the level 4 division there were 60 girls competing against one another. Julianna scored a 9.025 on bars resulting in 7th place in the age 8 division.

Savannah, competing in the 11+ age division, scored an 8.6 on bars earning 5th place. They then moved on to vault. Savannah won 5th place with a 9.425 and Julianna also won 5th with a 9.4.

Following the vault portion was the floor. Savannah tumbled to an 8.45, 7th place, and Julianna scored an 8.425, 6th place.

Lastly, came beam, which is only four inches wide. Julianna scored an 8.65 resulting in 5th place and Savannah an 8.325 with 5th place.

In the all around, the gymnasts are awarded with the highest scores combined into one. Savannah won 4th place all around with a 34.8. Julianna won 6th place with a 35.5.

Up next was Julia Skellie, a level 6 gymnast who competed agains 61 other level 6 gynasts beginning at 3:30 p.m.

Skellie is 13 years old and the daughter of David and Caroline Skellie of Landrum. She is in the eighth grade at Landrum Middle School.

Skellie began on bars and won 3rd place in the 12+ age division. Next was vault, where Skellie also won 3rd with an 8.45. She then moved onto the floor, which she says is her favorite event. She scored an 8.65 resulting in 2nd place.

The beam was Skellies last event. She scored a 9.025 and won 1st place. In the all around she won 3rd place with a 32.925.

The gymnasts say that November 7 was a great success. All three girls placed high enough to qualify for state. Each girl brought home 5 medals each. Their next competition is November 21 and 22.