Local gymnasts compete

Mat-Su girls competed against gymnasts from around the state Saturday in the Denali Compulsory Meet at Denali Gymnastics Academy in Wasilla.

Eighty-nine gymnasts from the Valley, Fairbanks, Anchorage and Soldotna competed in four events, with ribbons awarded for each event and all-around score.

"This was a team effort by everyone here," said meet director Sandy Reynolds. "We have been working for about a month get everything ready and make sure the sanctioning paperwork was complete."

The meet was sanctioned by USA Gymnastics as a qualifier for state level and above competitions. Saturday's meet was the last qualifying meet for state level competition.

Gymnasts who continue to meet qualifications can progress through the state level, the Northwest regionals and finally the junior nationals.

The gymnasts are placed in varying levels based on ability. The levels range from one to 10, with 10 being the elite. Within each level, gymnasts compete within age groups divided every two years. Saturday's meet was for level four, five and six gymnasts.

The gymnasts competed in four compulsory events - floor exercise, balance beam, uneven bars and vault. Compulsory events require that all competitors perform the same routine.

"Compulsory events level the field, " said Lynn Reynolds, who operates Denali Gymnastics with wife, Sandy. "It also makes it easier for the judges to score when everyone does the same routine. "

Two USA Gymnastics-certified officials judge each competitor and average their scores to determine the total score for each competitor in each event.

"It's pretty much an individual sport," said Lynn Reynolds. "The kids compete against themselves to achieve individual scores."

According to Sandy Reynolds, there is no guideline on how long a gymnast must be involved in gymnastics before competing, but said the minimum is usually around one year.

"It all depends on the kid," said Reynolds. "Some progress faster than others and are ready to compete

earlier."

Results of Valley gymnasts:

Level six

Ages 10-11: 3. Alyssa Koerher. Ages 12 and up: 3. Rebbecca Childers; 4. Esther Stewart.

Level five

Ages 10-11: 5. Rachel Kennedy; 6. Shannon O'Loughlin.

Level four

Ages 6-8: 9. Stephannie Marden. Ages 9-10: 8. Rebekah Mach; 14. Sabrina Clemenson; 15. Hannah Zola; 16. Karly O'Loughlin; 18. Amy Oeth; 19. Amanda Cullip; 21. Mariah Schacle. Ages 11 and up: 1. Chelsea Bahn; 2. Abby Krueger; 4. Karina Tomco; 8. April Morlock; 9. Amanda Hanes; 10. Caitlan Conklin; 12. Tabitha Morgan; 13. Ali Morava; 15. Caroline Zola; 17. Shauna Sherbahn.