MOULTRIE — The Moultrie YMCA MGs kicked off their optional meet season as they have for the past several successful seasons.

The Level 8 and Level 9 teams competed in the annual Woodstock (GA) Optional Inter-squad Meet on Sunday, Dec. 17. Over 280 optional level gymnasts from across Georgia and neighboring states rolled out new skills and routines for the judges during the three day meet.

“This is a perfect way to get things started,” MG coach Bob Swadel said. “The meet is fast, no awards are given and we get a clarification of the start values of our routines and the deductions taken by the judges.

“That gets us all on the same page. It’s a real meet on someone else’s equipment, so the girls get a good evaluation of where they are with about a month to go before the Atlanta Crown Invitational at the Gwinnett Civic Center.”

Meghan Merritt (age 11), Brooke Robinson (12) and Kristin Whitman (13) moved up to Level 8 at Woodstock, after each had a successful 2005-06 season at Level 7.

Merritt had a solid 34.025 all-around, highlighted by an 8.7 on floor and an 8.6 to lead the team on beam.

Robinson used a team high 9.225 on bars and a solid 8.925 on floor to score a 34.075 AA.

Whitman scored an 8.2 on vault and 28.375 in her first meet at the new level.

“I was very proud of the way those three young ladies handled the whole thing,” Swadel said. “They are going to contribute a lot to this team in meets this year and for years to come.”

Among the returning Level 8 gymnasts, Kambria Blakely, the reigning state vaulting champion, scored a lofty 9.625 on her favorite event and a 9.1 on floor, as she put together a 35.1 AA.

Rachel Dampier put up solid scores on the same events, with a 9.35 on a new vault and 9.175 on floor for a 34.8 AA.

Heather Scites added a 34.1 AA that was highlighted by an 8.875 on floor and an 8.5 on bars.

Kaitlin Tucker used an 8.45 vault, an 8.425 floor and an 8.4 on bars to put to score a 32.725 AA.

“The Level 8 team is a good mix of experience and strong young gymnasts,”Swadel said. “We are about two points ahead of where we were this time last year. We should get Arrienne Miller and Krysta Michael back from injuries soon, adding greatly to our depth in key areas. We are always solid on vault and floor and I saw some nice things on beam and bars.”

The Level 9 team opened the season without Region floor and vault champion Meghan Marshall, who has battled illness since Y Nationals in June.

“Meghan has been a leader for years, and she’s a senior like Devin (Corgan). We need her in the line-up for Level 9, high school and Y Nationals. We hope that she is ready for Hilton Head in late January,” said her long time coach.

2006 YMCA National All-Around Champion, Leah May picked up where she left off, using an 8.9 on vault, a 9.1 on beam and a 9.45 floor to put together a strong 35.85 AA.

A totally new bar routine (8.4) showed the potential to score well as the season goes on.

“Leah just missed the high school all-around title in her freshman year. Once she gets comfortable with the new routines, she will be a strong contender at the 2007 GHSA State Meet and again at Y Nationals,” Swadel said.

Devin Corgan, the YMCA All-American and USAG State, Regional and National champion in 2006 landed her first double back salto in competition, to open her floor routine and the season.

“Dev tried several new skills and made a couple of mistakes on beam and bars that she never makes. If she sticks her last pass on floor, she sores a 9.60.” Swadel said.

Corgan’s 34.025 AA was highlighted by a 9.0 on vault and an 8.95 (after a .5 deduction for a fall) on floor.

In her first meet at Level 9, 13-year-old Kenyadah Prime contributed an 8.8 on vault and a 9.1 on floor as she scored a 33.70 all-around.

According to Swadel, “When everyone is healthy and our new skills aren’t new any more, I see this as a very strong Level 9 group. We return three All-Americans and Kenyadah adds power and depth to the line up. I am looking forward to an excellent season from four very talented athletes.”

The MGs will compete at the Atlanta Crown and Hilton Head Island Invitationals in January, followed by the Edgewater Classic in Panama City, FL and the Gasparilla Classic (“World’s Largest Gymnastics Meet”) at the Tropicana Dome in St. Petersburg, Fla. in February.

The USAG State Meet is in March, with Regional and National Championships in April.

The GHSA high school season runs from February until early May. CCHS will be looking to defend its first state championship with a strong returning group. The season will end in late June at the YMCA National Championships in Seattle, Wash.