By PHOEBE ROBINSON/Community Columnist

Macy Hastings recently represented the State of Alabama in the Judge’s Cup Gymnastics Tournament in Daytona, Fla., in which 21 states competed. Hastings was one of six girls who won the qualifier Judge’s Cup for the Alabama State Team, held at Mt. Brook Gym, and the only qualifier from Shelby County. She trains at the Legacy Gym in Pelham.

On the Judge’s Cup Alabama State Team with Hastings were: Caroline Leonard and Jordan Olszewski, Mt. Brook Gym; Grace Phung, Armory Athletic Club, Montgomery; Gracie Keith, Prattville YMCA; and Kate Grill, Vision Gym, Hoover.

Hastings, a fifth grader at Thompson Intermediate School, is 11 years old and her favorite subject is math. She is the daughter of Michelle and Todd Hastings of Alabaster and the granddaughter of Linda and Bill Ackley and Jeannette and Bill Hastings of Lay Lake in Shelby. She has been in gymnastics since she was 3-and-a-half years old and training at Legacy Gym since January 2010.

Hastings trains 16-and-a-half hours a week, five days a week on bars, vault, beam and floor. Her coaches, who grew up together competing in gymnastics, attended the Judge’s Cup with her: Brianna Mitchell, beam and owner of Legacy Gym; Steven Mitchell, strength and conditioning; C.J. Laird and Sarah Lewis, vault and bars; and Bethany Buchanan, floor.

“She had a great meet,” said Laird after the Judge’s Cup qualifier. “It was her best meet ever.”

Levels 1-6 are compulsories, set by the National Gymnastics Association. Levels 7-10 are optional and more advanced. Hastings competed at Level 7 in each of the four disciplines: beam, vault, bars and floor.

“I enjoy bars the most,” said Hastings. “But floor is probably my best. It was an awesome experience. It takes a lot of hard work and determination to practice each week and to get all my school work done. But I love gymnastics.”

Congratulations, Macy Hastings!

 

Phoebe Donald Robinson can be reached by email at phoeberobinson@bellsouth.net.