On March 1st and 2nd, Foothills Gymnastics Academy (FGA) sent nine gymnasts to the Coastal Classic invitational in Myrtle Beach, SC. FGA’s coaches were amazed by the Xcel Bronze gymnasts (Genevieve Ard, Jillian Brown and Virginia Then). The Coastal Classic was Jill and Virginia’s first competition and Genevieve’s second. 

 

Some of the highlights for FGA’s Xcel Bronze gymnasts include: Jill earned 1st all around with a score of 37.925 with her 1st on vault with a high 9.7, 2nd on beam with a 9.4, 2nd on floor with a 9.4 and 3rd on bars with a 9.425. Jill received the Coastal Queen trophy due to having the highest all-around score out of all age groups. Genevieve earned 4th on bars with a 9.35, 4th on beam with a 9.1, 5th on floor with a 9.05, a 9.125 on vault for 4th All around with a score of 36.625. Virginia achieved 4th on vault with a 9.3, a 9.05 on bars, 8.85 on floor and 36.10 All Around. Despite having the smallest team competing with only 3 gymnasts, they won 4th out of 13th teams. 

 

The FGA Xcel Silver gymnasts (Anna-Carlisle Keim, Caity Elledge, Zina Ishwar and Reeve Carroll) faced some tough competition with gymnasts from over 15 states at the invitational. Some highlights include: Reeve brought home 4 out of 5 gold medals. She achieved 1st on bars with a 9.5, 1st on beam with a 9.65, 1st on floor with a 9.3, 2nd on vault with a 9.35 and 1st all around with a 37.80. Caity achieved 3rd on beam with a 9.5, 4th on bars with 9.525, a 9.275 on floor, and tied for 3rd all around with a 37.425. Zina recently upgraded her beam routine to incorporate a more challenging element of a back walkover and was able to achieve a 9.3. She also earned 2nd on bars with a 9.45, a 9.0 on floor and 5th all around with a 36.675. Anna-Carlisle received 2nd with a 9.35 on beam, 4th on bars with a 9.4, a 8.975 on floor and an all around of 36.60. FGA’s Xcel Silver team was smaller than many other teams but earned 4th place. 

 

FGA sent 2 Xcel Gold gymnasts (Eliza Then and Hurley Bell) to the Coastal classic. Despite some tough competition and critical judging, their coaches are proud of their performances. Hurley performed a strong vault and won 1st place with a 9.20. She also received 2nd on bars with a 9.475, 3rd on beam with a 9.275, and 2nd all around with 37.15. Eliza incorporated a handstand on the bars for the first time and the judges told her that they are “proud of her for going for it”. She received 8.9 on the beam and 4th on vault with a 9.075. 

 

FGA’s gymnasts compete next at the Lucky Charm invitational in Concord, NC. 

 

– Submitted by Jana Williamson