Hamilton Herald Masthead

Editorial


Front Page - Friday, May 14, 2010

Signal School of Physical Education gymnastic team champions




Signal School of Physical Education gymnastic team Level 5 Southeastern District Champions show off their trophy. - Photo provided
Signal School of Physical Education’s gymnastics team competed against some of the top gymnasts from Tennessee, Alabama and Mississippi in the last month of their competition season. They returned victorious on a number of occasions, with the Tennessee State as well as the Southeastern District team Championships.
The Pride of Tennessee State Championship was held in Chattanooga at Lookout Valley Gymnastics Academy on April 10. Gymnasts competed in their own age groups and skill levels set forth by
the Amateur Athletic Union. The Signal School of Physical Education team dominated all events to win the team championship, competing in floor exercise, uneven bars, balance beam and vault. Many of the team’s members placed in the top three in their events,
with those in first place achieving individual state champion status.
Kayle Lemmon and Annalee Hooten each won the
All-Around championship for competing in every event in their respective levels and
garnering the highest cumulative scores. Signal School’s veteran gymnast Turner Bryant won first place in all four events at the Intermediate Optional level.
Immediately following the Tennessee State Championships were the Southeastern District Championships in Sylacauga, Ala., on April 24. Six teams met for a day of heavy competition despite rough weather. Once again, Signal School of Physical Education walked away as
the team champions.
All-Around champions were Julianne Korn, Molly Sims, Andrea Brookshire and Madelyn Voncanon. Intermediate Optional gymnast Bryant finished once again as champion of the day in her age division.
Signal School’s youngest gymnast, Brooke Jones, took home first place on balance beam and floor exercise in the 6 year old age group.
Signal School of Physical Education will travel to Disney’s Wild World of Sports in Orlando, Fla., July 1-4, where eight of the team’s
gymnasts will compete in the AAU Age Group National Championships. Charity Painter, the school’s director and coach of the gymnastics team, says, “I couldn’t be more proud of what they have achieved, and I expect to see more of the same in Orlando. We have an absolutely stellar team this year”.