On Saturday, Feb. 19, 13 gymnasts (levels 2 – 6) from Foothills Gymnastics Academy (FGA) in Tryon competed in their first meet of 2011. FGA joined the AAU this season and they competed in the Princess Classic held at Lake Norman YMCA in Cornelius, N.C.

Competing at Level 2 were Scout Harmon (daughter of Jeff and Kristin Harmon of Tryon) and Ella Waldman (daughter of Ethan and Renae Waldman of Tryon). No apparatus placements were given at this level but both girls earned individual All-Around honors, earning both crowns and medals. Harmon scored a 9.0 on beam, 9.3 on floor, 8.6 on bars and a 9.3 on vault. Waldman earned a 9.2 on beam, 9.9 on floor, 8.9 on bars and a 9.0 on vault.

Level 3 gymnasts competing were Ragan Ashmore, Rollins Carter, Julia Griffin and Elsie Morrah Padgett. Ashmore, daughter of Warren and Jacque Ashmore of Landrum, earned first place in the All-Around (35.650), Novice 2. Ashmore also placed first on vault (9.2), first on bars (8.6), first on beam (8.5) and first on floor (9.350).

Carter, daughter of Robert and Margot Carter of Tryon, earned second place in the All-Around (35.250), Novice 1. Carter also placed fourth on vault (9.0), second on bars (8.4), second on beam (8.85) and tied for first on floor (9.0).

Griffin, daughter of Ken and Tangela Griffin of Tryon, earned third place in the All-Around (34.750). Griffin placed first on vault (9.350), third on bars (8.3), third on beam (8.1) and tied for first on floor (9.0).

Padgett took first place in the All-Around (35.300), finishing third on vault (9.1), first on bars (8.8), first on beam (9.1) and fourth on floor (8.3).

In the Level 4 Novice 2 division, two Foothills gymnasts competed, Leah Bulleit and Lily Nelson. Bulleit, daughter of Steve and Sandy Bulleit of Columbus, took first place All-Around honors (34.850). Bulleit also placed third on vault (9.1), second on bars (8.7), first on beam (7.85) and first on floor (9.2). Nelson, daughter of Rich and Kim Nelson of Tryon, finished second in the All-Around (34.450). Nelson placed second on the vault (9.2), first on bars (8.75), third on beam (7.7) and second on floor (8.8).

Two Foothills gymnasts competed at Level 5, Julianna Robbins and Sydney Waldman. Waldman, daughter of Ethan and Renae Waldman of Tryon, took first place All-Around honors (34.050). Waldman also finished first on vault (8.250), first on bars (8.550), second on beam (8.450) and second on floor (8.80). Robbins, daughter of Arthur and Joy Robbins of Columbus, took third place in the All-Around. Robbins finished fifth on the vault (7.55), second on bars (8.150), fourth on beam (7.9) and first on floor (8.90).

Colleen Burke, daughter of Julie Burke of Tryon, competed in the Level 6 division. Burke placed second in the All-Around (34.350), also placing first on vault (9.150), third on bars (7.9), third on beam (8.6) and tied for second on floor (8.7).

This was the first competition for the gymnasts from Foothills at their new levels. Every gymnast scored well enough to advance to the State Competition, held May 21 in Charlotte, N.C.

Foothills Gymnastics Academy is coached by Jana Williamson and is located at 66 Academy St. in Tryon.