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Fusion Gymnastics opens season with wins

Left photo - Level 3: (left to right) Ava Cosue, Macie Young, Sara Beth Mullins (back), Emma Grace Putnam, Sarah Grace Beck, Avery Carter Howarth, Maggie Marble-Barrett (back), and Merry Elizabeth Williamson. Right photo - Xcel gold: (l to r) Anna Graden Jones, Ladye Scurlark, Kailyn Byas, Taylor Hayes, Yazmin Jackson, Anna Scott Gant and Destiny White.

Fusion Gymnastics Competition Team, sponsored by Delta State Continuing Education, began the 2016-17 season at the Latin Fest Invitational in Flowood on Oct. 15. The 23 team members, coached by Amanda McCall and assistant Kylie Morton, competed against teams from Ocean Springs, Starkville, Greenwood, Brookhaven and Flowood.

The first-year Xcel Gold squad returned to Cleveland with a first place team finish. The Level 2 squad received second place, and the Level 3 squad received third place.

First place in events went to Addie Jane Reed (Level 2) in beam and floor; Libba Lott (Level 2) in vault with a score of 9.7; Sara Beth Mullins (Level 3) in vault with a score of 9.5, uneven bars and beam; Taylor Hayes (Xcel Gold) in uneven bars, beam and floor with a score of 9.6; Destiny White (Xcel Gold) in vault; and Anna Graden Jones (Xcel Gold) in vault and uneven bars with a score of 9.65.

Taking second, third and fourth place in the events were Emma Grace Mullins (Level 2) second in vault, third in uneven bars, beam and floor; Addie Jane Reed (Level 2) fourth in vault; Morgan Catt (Level 2) fourth in beam; Catherine Sanders (Level 2) second in floor and third in beam; Sarah Grace Beck (Level 3) second place in beam; Ava Cosue (Level 3) second place in uneven bars; Avery Carter Howarth (Level 3) fourth in uneven bars, beam and floor; Macie Young (Level 3) fourth in vault; Taylor Hayes (Xcel Gold) third in vault; Destiny White (Xcel Gold) third in floor and fourth in beam; Yazmin Jackson (Xcel Gold) third in floor; Anna Scott Gant (Xcel Gold) second in floor and fourth in uneven bars; Ladye Scurlark (Xcel Gold) third in uneven bars; Kailyn Byas (Xcel Gold) fourth in vault; Anna Graden Jones (Xcel Gold) fourth in floor.

In the All-Around Champion category, Taylor Hayes was awarded first place all-around in Xcel Gold. Destiny White, Anna Graden Jones and Emma Grace Mullins earned second place all-around in their levels. Yazmin Jackson and Sara Beth Mullins earned third place all-around in their levels. Addie Jane Reed and Catherine Sanders both earned fourth place all-around in their levels.

“We started the season strong and will continue to improve our weak areas,” said McCall. “Focus and hard work are the keys to a successful season. Winning is measured by personal effort and improvement, not by your position on the podium.”

Fusion Gymnastics team members invlude: Level 2 – Hailey Wilburn, Catherine Sanders, Emma Grace Mullins, Libba Lott, Jaide Lillian Brown, Ashlin Hill, Morgan Catt and Addie Jane Reed. Level 3 – Maggie Marble Barrett, Macie Young, Sara Beth Mullins, Ava Cosue, Avery Carter Howarth, Merry Elizabeth Williamson, Emma Grace Putnam and Sara Grace Beck. Excel Gold – Yazmin Jackson, Destiny White, Ladye Scurlark, Anna Scott Gant, Anna Graden Jones, Kailyn Byas and Taylor Hayes.

The competition team will head to Starkville this weekend, Oct. 21-23, for their second meet of the season.

Fusion Gymnastics is organized through Delta State Continuing Education. Multiple level classes are offered for ages three and up. If you are interested in your child taking gymnastics classes, contact coordinator Elizabeth Joel at 662-846-4700.