Faces In The Gym - Nov. 2008
 Hailey Murdica is 8 years old from Palm Desert, Calif., and this is her first season as a Level 5 gymnast. She recently competed in the Southern California State Championship and became the Southern California All Around State Champion for the 7-8 year olds. Prior to that, she competed in the Eastern Southern California Sectionals Meet where she took first on beam with a 9.5 and second on floor with a 9.25. She also helped her gym's Level 5 team take first at the meet. Her gym is Action Gymnastics and she is coached by Suzanne, Leah and Theresa. |
 Jett Murphy, 9, is currently training Level 6. Last year he competed for the first time as a Level 5 and took first place on high bar at all of his meets, including the Ohio State Championships with a score of 9.55. Also at State, he placed first on vault (9.90), second on still rings (9.40), and second all-around with a score of 55.70. Jett is passionate about gymnastics and spends his free time tumbling at home or surfing the net to learn all he can about his gymnastics idols. He’s a big fan of the Ohio State University Men’s Gymnastics team and hopes to join their team someday, then on to the Olympics. Jett is coached by Kenny Kawanishi at Gem City Gymnastics. |
 Shelbee Avelino is a 9-year old gymnast from Central Coast Gymnastics. She was the first gymnast from San Luis Obispo to qualify to TOPs National Testing in Texas. She was invited to TOPS B Camp in December and is currently a very successful Level 6/7 gymnast. She recently won the all-around at her Level 6 Zone Championship meet with a 37.925. She is coached by Danielle Vargas. |
 McKayla Kelly was the 2008 Level 4 Maryland State All-Around Champion with a score of 37.35 in the 10-year-old division. She also took first place in Beam and Bars and second on Floor and Vault. McKayla is currently training as a Level 5 at All-Pro Gymnastics and is coached by Shaun Buckman. |
 Lexy Rieger (9) is a Level 4 gymnast at Top Flight Gymnastics in Crestview, Kentucky. This is her first year competing. She finished her season taking first place on beam with a 9.375, first place on floor with a 9.375 and second overall with a 36.800 at the Kentucky State Meet. She is coached by Summer Crawford. |
 Tiana Hickman (8) recently became the Lake Superior Gymnastic Association, Level 5, age 9 and under, All-Around Champion. Her all-around score was 33.55. She placed 1st on Bars (8.15) & Beam (8.70), 2nd on Floor (8.90) and 4th on vault (7.80). Tia’s Level 5 team also took 3rd place. Tia competes for the Bemidji Aerials out of Bemidji, Minnesota. This was a very exciting moment for Tia because she just became a level 5 in June. Her coaches are Linda McDonald & Don Paprech. |
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