ROSEBURG, Ore. -- Umpqua Valley Gymnastics in Roseburg is sending 21 gymnasts to the Oregon Gymnastics State Championships in Eugene this weekend.

The Oregon Girls Compulsory State Gymnastics Championships will be held at Marist High School Friday through Sunday (April 22-24).

Over 500 young gymnasts ages 6 to 13 will compete.

Umpqua Valley's Level 5 team will compete Friday starting at 4 p.m. Last year the team came close to winning, finishing 2nd overall.

"We have consistently done well at this level over the last couple years and we expect the competition to be even tougher this time around," says coach Khumbulani Moyo with Umqua Valley Gymnastics. 

U.V.'s Level 3 team will compete Saturday morning at 8 a.m. and its Level 4 team wraps up the state championships on Sunday at 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

Over 30 teams from all over the state are expected to take part this weekend.

The girls will compete with other gymnasts on floor, beam, vault, and uneven bars.

Compulsory gymnastics includes three levels of achievement. Many of these athletes practice from 9 to 15 hours per week, meet officials say.

They compete individually and also as a team.  

"Gymnastics provides a wonderful opportunity for young people to develop a lifelong habit of physical fitness along with the outstanding character qualities associated with gymnastics including discipline, teamwork, and goal setting," U.S. Gymnastic Academy said in a news release. "As a sport gymnastics provides opportunities for children to reach their fullest potential and achieve their goals and dreams."

Meet Schedule
4-8 p.m. Friday, April 22
8:30 a.m. - 9:30 p.m. Saturday, April 23
9:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. Sunday, April 24

Marist High School is located at 1990 Kingsley Road in Eugene.

Here's a look at the UV Gymnastics roster:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Photo: Umpqua Valley Gymnastics 2016 team)

(posted 4/21/16)