MOULTRIE — With four returning veterans and four promising freshmen, the Colquitt County gymnastics team appears capable of a run at the April 28 state meet at the Westminster Schools.

The Lady Packers will open their season on Friday when they travel to the Thomasville YMCA to compete against Thomas County Central, Tift County, Bainbridge, Cairo and Early County.

Competition will be on balance beam, uneven parallel bars, vault, floor exercise and all around.

The team will be working toward a state qualifying meet, to be held on April 21.

At the qualifying meet, the top three scores in each event will be used to determine the team score.

The top six individuals in each event will qualify for the state meet, as will the top three teams.

Colquitt County will have two seniors in Krista Wood and Temira Davis and one junior in Meghan Marshall.

Crystal Blizzard is the team’s lone sophomore.

Giving the team more depth and an outstanding future are freshmen Leah May, Kaitlyn Tucker, Arrienne Miller and Rachel Dampier.

Miller is out with an elbow injury and it is unclear whether she will be able to compete this season.

Still, seven gymnasts gives the school its largest squad ever.

Marshall is a two-time All-State performer and will continue to compete all around.

May, another Level 9 gymnast and USAG regional qualifier, also is expected to be a strong all around performer.

Wood had a fine USAG season and is expected to provide senior leadership and experience on three events.

Davis, the other senior, had injury problems earlier in the year but is expected to be able to contribute this season.

Each team member will compete in at least two events on Friday, giving coach Donna Marshall a chance to evaluate the newest Lady Packers.

Colquitt County will be renewing it long-standing rivalries with Thomas County Central and Bainbridge on Friday.

Tift County is in its third year of fielding a gymnastics team. Early County and Cairo are newcomers.