On Friday, Jan. 18, the Foothills Gymnastics Academy sent six gymnasts to the Furman Classic in Greenville.

The gymnasts did a wonderful job at their second meet of the season, coaches said. They were first on the floor, where all girls performed strong and determined routines that received the highest scores of the day for all Xcel Silver and Gold gymnasts.

From FGA’s Xcel Gold team, Hurley Bell and Eliza Then accomplished clean routines with good difficulty, clean landings on their tumbling and beautiful dancing. Bell’s score of 9.55 was the highest score of the day for all Xcel Gold in her age group. Then finished third, with a score of 9.3.

FGA’s Xcel Silver gymnasts also did well and pulled off a strong performance. In terms of their floor routines, Reeve Carroll received first with a score of 9.4, Zina Ishwar earned second with a score of 9.25, Anna-Carlisle Keim got third with 9.225 and Caity Elledge earned fourth with a 9.2. The judges complimented the Xcel Silver gymnasts on their artistry, dance and choreography. 

In regards to the balance beam, FGA swept the Xcel Silver podium, with Elledge taking first with 9.675, Carroll earning second with a 9.5 and Ishwar receiving third with a 9.35.

In terms of the Xcel Gold, Bell won the beam with 9.425 and Then received fifth with a score of 8.925.

In terms of the bars, with the Xcel Silver team, Elledge won first with a 9.45, Keim won second with a 9.4 and Carroll won third with a 9.375.

In terms of vault, with the Xcel Gold, Bell received second and Then received fourth. For the Xcel Gold All around, Bell received third place with a 36.75, and Then earned fourth, with 35.625.

For the Xcel Silver All around, Carroll placed first with a 37.45, Elledge second with a 37.20, Ishwar third with a 36.675 and Keim fourth with 35.80. FGA’s Xcel Silver team won first place with a score of 111.575.

It was great to see the friendship and support between these gymnasts, coaches said.

The team will have a weekend off before heading to Cherokee Feb. 3 for the Legend of the Smokies Invitational.

– Submitted by Sharol Ard