MOULTRIE — Without Meghan Marshall and Leah May, the Colquitt County gymnastics team knew what it had to do in Saturday’s state qualifying meet at Lovett.

“We knew we had to stick everything,” coach Donna Marshall said. “We had little room for error.”

And despite not doing as well as hoped on floor, the Lady Packers scored a 106.395 and finished fifth, enabling them to head to the Westminster Schools on Friday for a chance to defend their 2006 state championship.

“We will work hard this week correcting mistakes and polishing all parts of our routines,” Marshall said. “I can’t tell you how proud I am of these girls.

“They pulled together against heavy odds. I feel confident that we will be a true contender for Friday’s meet at Westminster.”

The Lady Packers also had two gymnasts finish among the top 10 all around: Kambria Blakely, who was sixth, and Rachel Dampier, who was 10th.

“There was only one other team that had two gymnasts in the all around, and that is Carrollton,” Marshall said. “Or goal is to beat them and take another championship.

“We will have Leah in our lineup, which will ensure our team score will be much higher.”

The Lady Packers competed on vault first and Blakely had a 9.55 for third and Dampier a 9.1 for a tie for 12th.

Kaitlin Tucker had an 8.5 and Arrienne Miller an 8.3.

“Rachel did the vault she performed at state last year, which gave us the extra we needed to take the championship,” Marshall said.

“I was so proud of her determination in doing that same vault again.”

Marshall said the referee met Blakely later in the meet and complimented her on the outstanding vault she performed.

On bars, Dampier had a 9.0 to tie for 10th. Miller had an 8.6, Blakely an 8.45 and Tucker an 8.25.

The team performed well on beam, Marshall said.

Blakely had a 9.55 for third, Dampier a 9.25 for seventh, Tucker a 9.0 and Miller and 8.7.

“We were shaky and the girls were nervous,” Marshall said. “They knew that we had to stick our routines. I know that they will be more at ease next week and have routines which flow.”

On floor, Blakely had a 9.05 that tied for 11th. Dampier had an 8.45, Miller a 7.85 and Tucker a 7.55.