MOULTRIE —  The Moultrie YMCA MGs headed to Thomasville on January 28 to continue their meet season in the Rose City gymnastics invitational and the Level 3’s took first place and the Level 4’s placed second.

The AAU Level 3 gymnasts were in the first session of the day where 14 personal records were broken and six nines were scored.

 “Most of our gymnasts are first year competitors in their level; I was very proud of how they competed,” said coach Wendy Scites.

Curstin Jackson led the team with a 35.5AA, second place in her division.

“Curstin's form is beautiful; her floor routine scored a 9.3, first place, her personal best,” Scites said.

Jackson placed second on vault, 8.75 and third on bars 8.8 and beam 8.65.

Jordan Penuel finished next with a 35.2 AA for first place, with a personal best on vault, 9.05 and beam, 9.15, both first place.

Madison Cook earned two personal bests on vault, 8.8, third and floor, 9.0 first place.

“Madison came back strong from an injury and added to our team score,” said coach Pat Murphy-Meier.

Cook finished second AA, 34.9 and second on beam, 9.05.

Jaiden Lane placed third all around 34.8 and first on vault 8.8 and second on bars, 9.1 all of them were her best scores.

“Jaiden is starting to have confidence as she performs.  It makes her look good,” said Scites.

Leigh Hinson's best score came on vault, 9.0 for second place. Hinson scored 33.525, third on AA.  Carolyn Matthews earned her best score on floor, 8.75 for first place.  Ivey Cooper highest score was on the vault, 8.65 and her AA was 32.35 both placing second.

Ava White placed third on vault with an 8.7 her best of the season.  Isabella Matthews placed second on floor with an 8.2 and fourth overall 31.45. Mackenzie Smith placed third on floor with an 8.1 and had her highest score on bars with a 7.75 for fourth.   

The USA Level 6 and a new level called Excel Gold gymnasts had the second session.

Leah Grace Wiggins was Moultrie’s top gymnast in the level 6 team earning a 34.825 for first place and her best score in that level.

“Leah Grace has a natural way of moving, just elegant,” Murphy-Meier said.

Wiggins placed first on all of her events with her best score on beam 9.275.

McKinley Calhoun tied for first on vault with Leah Grace and second on all the other events.

“McKinley had a rough meet but plans to set some goals at practice,” Murphy-Meier said.

Lillian Fagan placed first on all her events too.  Fagan had her personal best on bars, 8.65, floor, 8.35 and AA 33.65.

Ra'Mya Austin did well in her first Excel meet, placing first on vault, 8.7, bars, 8.45, beam, 8.7 and AA 34.00. She also placed second on floor with an 8.15.

“Ra’Mya looked nervous, but actually performed her new skills with confidence,” said Murphy-Meier.

Nea McLemore also was nervous performing her new skills, but not on the floor, 8.5 for first place. McLemore finished with AA of 32.05.

The USA Level 4 gymnasts were in the last session of the day where 10 personal records were broken, and six nines were scored.

Kilby Hunnicutt led the team with a personal record of 35.9 all around, taking first in her age division. She also took first in vault with a 9.5, bars with a 9.2 and second on floor with an 8.85.

“Kilby is a hard worker in practice and it shows in a meet,” Murphy-Meier said.

Mackenzie Yates had thre of her best scores on vault, 9.15, bars 8.9 and floor, 8.2.  Her all around was a 34.1.

Emily Chapura scored another 9.1 on vault but traded events from the last meet. Chapura had her best on bars and AA, 33.4 for sixth place.

Hailey Fender scored her first nine at this level on vault, 9.01 for first place.  Fender placed second on all of her other events and her best top AA score, 32.825.

Taylor James finished with 2 personal bests on vault, 8.7 and bars, 8.3 to place third.

Makenzie Smith hurt her ankle during practice and was unable to compete her vault. Smith placed first on bars, 8.85 and floor, 9.025.

The next competition will be Tifton at Dream It Gymnastics.