MOULTRIE —  Kenyadah Prine is progressing just fine in her comeback from two frustrating seasons that were marred by injuries. The Lowndes High senior is making the most of her opportunities to return to top form, no matter how big or small the stage.

Her 36.875 all-around score in level 9 exceeded the goal that she and her coaches had set. She placed first on every event, turning in scores of 9.45 on vault, 9.25 on bars, and 9.325 on balance beam. Her 8.85 on floor showed that she still has work to do.

Prine joined her teammates on Saturday at a new meet hosted by Excel Gymnastics in Lawrenceville. The Snowflake Invitational did not draw the numbers that the MGs are accustomed to competing against, because of a large meet in a neighboring state that attracted many teams.

“A friend of ours is trying to establish his meet on the schedule, so we went up to Gwinnett County to help him out,”said Coach Bob Swadel. “There wasn’t much competition, but our girls had a chance to perform for the judges, and the date fit our needs. Our 104.75 team score was down a point from our last meet at Hilton Head. We will travel to both the Edgewater Classic (Panama City Beach) and the Courtney Kupets Invitational (Savannah) before USAG State. They will each feature teams from all over the country.”  

Sterlyn Austin was the top scoring junior in level 9. Her 35.475 all-around was a season high and was her best showing so far in this new level. She scored 9.15 on floor, 8.975 on vault, 8.90 on beam and 8.45 on bars. Austin also took home four gold medals and a first place all-around trophy.

Hayley Trouille competed in the senior age group, placing third on vault (8.975), second on beam (8.15), fourth on floor (7.95) and third on beam (6.80). Her 31.875 placed second all-around.

Aubrea Callanta finished third in the senior age group all-around with a 31.575. She was second on vault (9.00), third on floor (8.45) and beam (7.725) and forth on bars (6.40).

Susannah Harvell (senior) and Jordan Yates (junior) took home first place all-around trophies as they led the MG Level 8 team.

Harvell led all scorers with a 34.725 as she rebounded nicely from a disappointing outing at Hilton Head. Her 9.0 on vault and her 8.825 on beam earned her gold medals in the senior age group. She was second on floor (8.85) and third on bars (8.05).

Yates, who is competing in her first season as a level 8, was event champion on vault (8.55) and on beam (7.95). She earned the silver medal on floor (8.85) and bars (7.95).

Coach Allen Harden was pleased with the progress that Yates has been making.

 “Jordan likes to do harder skills and her form and routine presentation are improving every time she competes. She is trying hard to do what it takes to be successful.”

Kaydee Phillips got off to an uncharacteristically slow start on beam, scoring an 8.05 and placing second. She was the floor (9.025) and bars (8.55) champion and placed third on vault (8.825). Her 34.45 placed second in the senior age group.

Evelyn Fagan earned the highest individual event score in level 8 for her first place 9.375 on floor.

“I was with the level 9s on vault when Evelyn did her floor routine, but I was close enough to see her dance and tumble better than she ever has,” said Swadel. “She loves her routine and she certainly lit up the gym with her performance on Saturday. It was fun to watch.”

Fagan earned her second gold medal on bars, with an 8.10. She placed second on vault (8.15), beam (7.30) and all-around (32.925) in the junior division.

Sammie Phillips took home silver medals for vault (8.85) and bars (8.50). She placed third on floor with an 8.65 and on beam, where she scored a 7.00. She placed third in the senior all-around competition with a 33.00.

Savana Robertson competed in her first meet of the year and was the only MG entered in the level 7 competition. A former member of the team who has recently returned to the area, the Westwood School (Camilla) student placed first on every event and all-around in the junior B age group. She scored 9.40 on vault, 8.875 on floor, 8.55 on beam and 7.90 on bars.

In other MG team news; YMCA National All-Around Champion and GHSA High School State Floor Champion, Meghan Merritt is recovering from surgery to repair a small tear in a tendon in her ankle. She will get out of a cast in five weeks and will start rehab with Marcus Wells and his staff at Moultrie Physical Therapy. She is expected to return to full workouts and competition in time to train for the 2012-2013 season.