The Moultrie YMCA Level 4 gymnastics team posed with Courtney Kupets at her ‘Pink’ invitational in Savannah. Shown are, from left, Neya Herndon, Jaiden Lane, Makenzie Smith, Courtney Kupets, Mackenzie Yates, Ava White, Madison Cook and Ivey Cooper.

 In four years the Courtney Kupets “Pink” Invitational has become one of the biggest and most competitive USA Gymnastics meets on the Junior Olympic calendar.

More than 1,800 gymnasts from across the country filled both the Savannah Civic Center and the Convention Center for the three-day competition that began on Feb. 28.

While the athletes fought hard for prestigious team and individual honors, the meet hosts from Rockdale (Ga.) Gymnastics and the event’s famous namesake, Courtney Kupets (U.S. Olympian and University of Georgia Gym Dog National Champion), were able to donate more than $20,000 from meet proceeds to breast cancer research.

The Moultrie YMCA gymnasts competed throughout the weekend and had a few strong performances, but were most excited about donating to such a worthy cause.

The Level 3 gymnasts began competition on Friday, February 28.

Tayte Braswell was the leading competitor for the MG Level 3s and finished the day with a 36.125 for second place. She contributed to the team score on three of the four events: vault with a 9.15 for fourth, bars with a 9.225 for first, and a 9.15 on floor.

Seaven Shorter was the second highest MG all-around athlete with a 35.525. She scored two nines in the competition, one on beam (a 9.175 for second) and one on floor (a 9.1).

Hayley Hamm scored a 9.175 on vault for first place and a 9.15 on floor. Both of these scores counted toward team and she finished the day with a 35.3 all-around.

Tyliyah Smith scored the highest vault score of the day for the MG’s, a 9.35 for first place. She finished fifth all-around with a 35.175 for fifth place.

Addie Hamner and Brandalyn Fitz both scored a 34.35 all-around. Both also set personal records on bars: Hamner with an 8.6 and Fitz with an 8.4.

Jessica Benson and Christina Cox were the second pair of MG’s to have matching all-arounds, finishing with 33.875’s.

Benson accompanied her teammates in setting a personal bar record of an 8.175. Her highest score of the day was an 8.75 on beam where she tied for fifth.

Cox had her highest floor score of the season, an 8.75, and had her highest event score of the day on vault, a 9.1.

Brooklyn James scored a 32.9 all-around and had her highest score of the day on floor, where she earned an 8.65. She earned an event medal on bars with an 8.25.

Marlie Daniels finished the meet for the Level 3 gymnasts from Moultrie with a 32.45 all-around.

She earned a fourth place medal on vault with an 8.8. The team’s overall score was a 108.1, good for fourth place.

“The Level 3s were our strongest team this weekend,” said Coach Pat Murphy-Meier.

“We still counted three scores above a 35.0 for team score and fourth place out of eight really talented, competitive teams is an impressive finish.”

The Level 4s also competed on Friday.

With a 33.95, Mackenzie Yates led her team in the all-around. She set a personal record on vault, scoring an 8.675. She contributed to the team score on three of the four events.

Neya Herndon earned a 33.65 all-around during her competition and also contributed to team score on three events. Her highest score of the day came on floor, where she earned an 8.825.

Madison Cook contributed to the team score on beam, scoring an 8.675. She earned a 33.25 all-around.

Jaiden Lane was the next MG competitor, and she finished her competition with a 32.825 all-around. Her highest score of the day was an 8.475 on floor.

Ava White narrowly finished behind Lane with a 32.8 all-around. She set a personal record on floor and contributed to the team’s all-around with an 8.875.

Ivey Cooper had an all-around of a 31.55 and counted for her team on both vault and bars.

Her highest score for the day was an 8.575 on floor.

Makenzie Smith was the final Level 4 MG. She narrowly missed scoring a 9.0 on floor, instead earning an 8.925 for fourth.

“We didn’t have a great day,” said Coach Dawn Harvell. “But our girls stayed positive and we did have some decent performances.”

Sisters Bryleigh and Alexis Parkerson were the first MG optional competitors of the meet. Bryleigh set an MG Level 7 record on beam with a 9.0, placing third.

She also scored an 8.25 on vault and completed her competition with a 32.875.

Alexis had her highest score of the day on vault, an 8.75, and scored a 31.575 all-around. Both earned a medal in the all-around competition.

“This was a tough meet but a fun meet for the girls,” said Coach Leah May. “Our scores were much lower than usual, but the bigger competitive environment was a good learning experience for our team.

Bryleigh made her first beam routine of the season and she earned the score she was given. This was a great way to start the meet.”

The compulsory and Level 7 MGs will have their next competition at the annual Red, White, and You home meet at the Moultrie YMCA on April 26.