Young gymnasts find success in Carson Country

Krysta Palmer and Shawntay Hudson approach gymnastics in different ways. Hudson tends to be more competitive, while Palmer is more laid back.

But one common bond shared between the two 8-year-old gymnasts is success.

Palmer, who began gymnastics when she was 5 years old, finished first on the uneven bars, second on the floor exercise, fifth on the balance beam, and fourth all around in the 7-9 age group in various competitions during the 1999-2000 season.

"I like bars the best but I also like the floor because I get to tumble," a shy Palmer said on Thursday.

Hudson, who began last year, started competing just nine months after taking up the sport. One of her highlights was placing fourth on the floor exercise in the 7-9 age group in one competition. She also finished third in a solo ribbon routine last season, which was her first ever dance competition.

"I like the floor exercise the best because I know most of the tricks," Hudson. "I want to do the bars, but I don't think I'm strong enough yet."

Both girls compete at Level V, which involve skills such as handsprings and cartwheels on the high beam.

Beginning next season, which starts in September, they will continue to compete at level V but will hone their level VI and VII skills. Level VI requires manuevers like handstands on bars and walkovers on the beam.

When Palmer was 6, she placed first on the uneven bars in her first Level IV competition. But medals haven't been the most important thing to her, said Steffany Walker, who has directed RAC Gymnastics the last four years with her husband Jim.

" I can remember one time when Krysta was so upset that she finished fifth in a competition and got a pink ribbon. She wanted to finish 10th because she wanted the prettier purple ribbon," Walker said.

Palmer and Hudson will compete next at the Silver State Games July 7-9 in Reno.

They practice five hours a week in tight quarters at the RAC Gymnastics facility. Walker plans to move to a bigger facility to promote advertising and create more space for the gymnasts.

RAC Gymnastics is located at 3579 Highway 50 E, Suite 221. For information, call 883-5477.