The Liberty gymnastics team of the Liberty County YMCA competed Sept. 6-7 at Champions Gymnastics in Jacksonville, where the level-two gymnasts placed third overall.
“Our girls did a wonderful job,” YMCA gymnastics coordinator Judy Bailey said. “This was an optional meet for our girls, and it was the first meet of our season. They could choose to compete or not, but most of our team competed.”
The gymnasts in level two are Bliss and Brooklyn Brumhober, Kylie Costello and Chiante Gomes.
Bailey said it was the first of at least five meets the team would like to compete in during the fall season. She said the girls are scored as a team, but also receive individual scores. The goal is to see if some of the girls can receive a cumulative score of 32 or above from two different meets. Gymnasts who meet that requirement qualify for the state competition.
Bailey, who participated in gymnastics for seven years as a child, said she has volunteered with different gymnastics programs since her daughter became a gymnast at age 2. Her daughter, now 6, and the family recently moved to Hinesville from Alaska. She and her daughter became actively involved at the Liberty YMCA.
Bailey, who took over as program coordinator about a year ago, said they are looking to expand gymnastics to accommodate those seeking to compete and those who wish to learn new skills recreationally.
YMCA gymnastics is open to boys and girls of all ages. Bailey explained the different levels is based on skill sets.
“You have to be at least 6 years old to compete, but you could have a 13-year-old competing in level two because they just started. We took four girls in level two and we had two other levels compete. We had one girl in level four and two in level three that competed,” she said.
The competitive team was scheduled to go to the Summit gymnastics meet last weekend in Savannah.
Bailey emphasized that competition is just one aspect of the YMCA program. She said the sport is a way to develop strength and flexibility.
“Gymnasts are some of the strongest people I’ve ever met. You have to have strong legs. You have to have strong shoulders, strong ankles and strong wrists. All the little muscle groups that you normally don’t think about have to be strong for gymnasts. They use every single muscle,” she said.
She said everyone who joins will learn basic tumbling, rolls and flips and develop from there.
Classes are broken to in various age groups and skill levels. Some classes are monthly, while others run for eight weeks. Participants don’t have to be members of the YMCA to sign up. Prices vary according to skill level. Registration for the winter season starts Oct. 15 and runs through Nov. 14. The winter session is from November to December.
For more information, call 368-9622.