WILTON – More than 650 gymnasts from six states converged upon Alfond Youth Center in Waterville last month to compete in the 2008 YMCA Northeast Regional Gymnastics Championships. Gymnasts competed in their respected levels by age groups that ranged in size from 25 to 50 gymnasts for each level. The event was hosted by Waterville YMCA Team Gymnastics and Decal Gymnastics of Skowhegan, Waterville and Wilton.
Among the competitors were 10 area gymnasts vying for the chance to place in the top dozen spots awarded within their level and age group. Decal gymnasts were Kiana Thompson, Michelle Morrison, Erin Doiron, Alexa Perkins, Caitlyn Rollins, Emily Eustis, Megan Morrison, Autumn St. Pierre, Jaime Davis and Mackenzie Parker. They also competed in the Maine State Gymnastics Championships earlier this spring in Old Town.
Each gymnast practiced an average of six to 10 hours a week over the course of fall and winter to prepare for these two events. All of them competed in the vault, uneven bars, floor exercise and balance beam. Local winners and their awards included:
Kiana Thompson, 12, Industry – State: first in vault, third in bars, third in beam, second in floor, second all-around; Regional: first in vault, fourth in bars, second in beam, eighth in floor, second all-around out of 27 in her class.
Michelle Morrison, 12, East Dixfield – State: first in bars, second in beam, third in floor, sixth in vault; Regional: Third in bars, sixth in beam, seventh all-around.
Alexa Perkins, 10, Jay – State: Second in beam, third in vault, fifth in floor, sixth all-around; Regional: sixth in vault, eighth in bean, fifth in floor, seventh all-around.
Erin Doiron, 10, Wilton – State: First in floor, fourth in beam, second in bars, fifth in vault, fourth all-around; Regional: Fifth in vault, seventh in floor, 10th in beam, seventh in bars, sixth all-around.
Caitlynn Rollins, 9, Livermore – State: First in vault, fourth in bars, third in beam, fourth in floor, third all-around; Regional: Second in vault, ninth in bars, seventh in beam, eighth in floor, fifth all-around.
Emily Eustis, 10, Wilton – State: First in bars, fifth in vault, second in beam, fifth in floor, third all-around; Regional: Eighth in bars, sixth in floor, 10th all-around.
Megan Morrison, 10, East Dixfield – State: First in vault, third in bars, first in beam, fourth in floor, second all-around; Regional: Eighth in vault, fifth in bars, fifth in beam, fifth in floor, third all-around.
Autumn St. Pierre, 10, Jay – State: 10th in vault, eighth in beam, 14th all-around; Regional: ninth in beam, 22nd all-around.
Jaime Davis, 9, Wilton – State: Eighth in vault, 17th all-around; Regional: 21st all-around.
Mackenzie Parker, 7, Jay – State: Fifth in vault, fifth in bars, fourth in beam, fourth in floor, fifth all-around.
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