MOULTRIE — In 2004, Devin Corgan competed in the USA Gymnastics Level 9 Eastern National Championships for the first time.

Her goals and those of her Moultrie YMCA coach, Bob Swadel were modest: gain experience, have fun and make a respectable showing. After an untimely injury kept her from qualifying for the event in 2005, Corgan qualified again in 2006.

The current Level 9 Georgia state vaulting champion and Region 8 floor exercise champion had loftier goals for her second trip to the prestigious event that was held April 21-23 at Memorial Gymnasium on the beautiful campus of Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn.

The trip would be a competitive success if she could bring home a gold medal in an individual event and if she was in a position to shoot for an all-around medal.

“Devin finished fourth on vault at Easterns in 2004 and we were very pleased,” Swadel said. “This year our expectations were a lot different. She has gold medals from several of the biggest invitational meets in the South and from the USAG State and Regional Championship meets.

“Those credentials alone make her a medal contender at Eastern Nationals. After watching her work out for the past two weeks, I knew she was ready for a strong meet.”

Corgan did not disappoint herself or her longtime coach.

Her 9.425 on floor exercise earned the gold medal among the top fifty Senior C (age 16-17) Level 9s from east of the Mississippi River.

“Floor was Devin’s first event of the meet, so her score had to hold up for seven more rotations,” Swadel said. “Her tumbling was powerful and she stuck all three of her passes. Her dance was polished and very dramatic. It was the whole package and the judges agreed.”

As she had done in Virginia in 2004, Corgan picked up a fourth place medal on vault, scoring a solid 9.25. Her beam routine benefited from the extra work she had put in on the event since Regionals and placed ninth at 9.125.

“We put in a new mount on bars, trying for some bonus points,” Swadel said. “She earned the bonus, but gave up a couple of tenths on execution.

“Her 8.7 didn’t place, but I’m happy we increased the difficulty before YMCA Nationals. It will be ready by the end of June.”

Former US Olympic Team member, John Rothlesberger presented Corgan with a third place bronze medal for her 36.5 all-around score.

One more lofty goal attained. It was an exciting end to an exciting meet and a most memorable USA Gymnastics season for the Valdosta High School rising senior.