Steamboat Pilot & Today

Steamboat Springs — Six young gymnasts will make their competitive debut Saturday when the Steamboat Gymnastics Center hosts a Capital Cup meet, hosting more than 100 gymnasts from across Colorado.

"Spring Fling" is the theme of Saturday's meet. Morgan Spodek, Griffin Woolley, Taylor Loomis, Camille Sachs, Brittany Nichols and Allison Lowrie are extremely excited for their first competition ever. They will compete at a Level 5 meet, one of two meets being held Saturday at the Steamboat Gymnastics Center.

"We don't have to win," Spodek said. "We just have to have fun."

That was the advice coach Deirdre Bernard passed on to her athletes at Wednesday's practice, reminding everyone that presentation and poise is just as important as executing a perfect routine.

"She said take it calmly and be positive," Nichols said.

"We have to show the judges a good attitude," Sachs said.

Saturday's two-meet schedule begins with a Level 3 and 4 meet at 10 a.m. No Steamboat gymnast will compete in it. The Level 5 and optional level meet is at 2 p.m. Level 5 and the optional level are the highest levels in Colorado.

Genna Bradley will be Steamboat's only competitor at the optional level Saturday. The other 11 Steamboat gymnasts competing are registered for Level 5.

All four female gymnastics events -- floor, balance beam, uneven bars and vault -- will be contested Saturday.

Fortunately for the Steamboat team, its gymnasts already have varying favorite events, which should make for a more competitive team.

"I like the beam," Loomis said. "I like doing cartwheels on it."

"I like the bars," Woolley said. "I like to do the tricks, and I'm good at it."

The doors open at 1:30 p.m. for the 2 p.m. meet, and admission is $3 at the door.

Meet director and gym co-owner Rose Atkins suggested those hoping to get a good seat arrive early.

All the girls planned on having family and friends there to watch Saturday. Lowrie said she got a bit lucky because many of her relatives will be in Steamboat for her meet and her brother's high school graduation.

"Some are going to come watch me," Lowrie said. "Some are going to watch Ryan (Zeeb)."

Bernard and assistant Brandi Robbins are expecting a good showing from the Steamboat Stars on Saturday.

The Steamboat gymnasts only perform or compete locally three times a year, so Saturday's meet is a good opportunity for those wanting to watch quality gymnastics or to learn more about the gym.

"There will be flowers everywhere, playing off our Spring Fling theme," Bernard said. "The girls also will be in fun new leotards. I think it will be a fun meet."

Saturday's meet is the final competition before the Eagle State Meet on June 28.