Foothills Gymnastics Academy in Tryon competed in the AAU N.C. State Championship on May 19 in Hickory, N.C. Gymnasts in Levels 2, 4 and Modified Optional (Level 6-7) competed. The Modified Optional team of Jenna McInerney, Colleen Burke, Savannah Robbins, Lily Nelson, Julianna Robbins and Sydney Waldman won first place in the team competition.
The team competition takes the top three scores of its gymnasts on each apparatus for an overall combined score. Coach Jana Williamson said she had coaches from around the state, as well as judges, come to her afterwards, praising the girls and their “beautiful floor routines” in particular.
In the individual competitions, Modified Optional gymnasts Sydney Waldman and Colleen Burke competed in the Elite division (prior all-around score of over 36). Sydney Waldman, daughter of Ethan and Renae Waldman, was the bronze medalist in the All-Around with a 36.1. She also won a silver medal on bars with a 9.450 and a bronze medal on floor with a 9.375.
Colleen Burke, daughter of Pat and Julie Burke, was the fourth-place all-around medalist with a 35.875, a gold medal on floor with a 9.475 and a bronze medal on vault (8.675) and bars (9.250).
Competing in the Modified Optional Advanced division were Julianna Robbins, Lily Nelson, Savannah Robbins and Jenna McInerney.  Julianna Robbins, daughter of Arthur and Joy Robbins, was the third-place All-Around Bronze medalist with a 34.450 and a gold medal win on floor with a 9.1.
Placing sixth in the All-Around with a 33.750 was Lily Nelson, daughter of Rich and Kim Nelson. Miss Nelson also won a gold medal on bars with a 9.250. In the upper age group, advanced division, Savannah Robbins was the fourth-place medalist All-Around with a 33.875 and a silver medal win on beam with a 8.7. Robbins is the daughter of Arthur and Joy Robbins.
Teammate Jenna McInerney was the fifth-place All-Around medalist with a 32.475, earning gold medal wins on bars (8.7) and floor (8.825). McInerney is the daughter of Jimmy and Tara McInerney.
The Foothills Level 4 team of Rollins Carter, Ragan Ashmore, Madison Geddings, Scout Harmon, Ella Waldman and Grace Strader won fourth-place in the team competition.