By Cara Spilsbury
The Haverhill YMCA hosted its second annual Flip-Flop Gymnastics Invitational, turning a winter weekend into sunny summer fun.
Eight teams from Ys throughout the area competed at the Haverhill facility on Saturday and Sunday. Gymnasts ranging in age from 6 through teens took part. Competitors from level 4, the first level able to compete, to level 7, the highest level represented at the Haverhill Y, swung from the uneven bars, carefully danced on the balance beam, pranced across the floor exercise mat and flipped over the vault.
Of the more than 300 gymnasts, 30 girls represented the Haverhill YMCA gymnastics program.
In addition to the excitement in the gymnastics center, the entire YMCA took part in the festivities as the building turned into a sunny, beachy luau. Summer decorations lined the hallways as young gymnasts and their families visited the Y. Teams also competed in a flip-flop sandal design contest.
According to Judy Dugar, the director of gymnastics at the Haverhill Y, the Winter Street facility proved to be the perfect venue for the event.
"Everybody that came to the Y that weekend was totally impressed," she said. "When they came inside, they were amazed at all the things we offer. We got nothing but compliments about how the event was run and how the place was nice and clean."
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For scores and results from the weekend competition, check our Web site, www.hgazette.com. Results will be posted as they become available.
