Post season in high gear as Elite Qualifier and Xcel States top weekend happenings: Apr 9-11, 2021

This past weekend saw The First In Flight "Elite Hopefuls" and "Xcel Silver" athletes in competition. All FIF elite hopefuls were competing under the HOPES Elite Division.

What is HOPES Elite?

HOPES provides athletes with an opportunity to compete the traditional Elite compulsory and a modified FIG Optional routine and includes an opportunity to qualify to the Challenge (HOPES division only). It is a ‘Pre’ Pre-Elite program. Athletes compete in the same qualifiers as their Elite teammates and earn their way up the ranks! The HOPES program was initiated in the 2006 season and was a tremendous success. Since, it has been a wonderful asset for some of our country's most aspiring talent.

The score needed to qualify for HOPES Elite depends on the age of the athlete. Congrats to all the FIF girls and Coach Elke for a great showing!

In the 11-12-year-old age group, Addy Fulcher has officially qualified for HOPES Elite with an optional routine score of 47.750 (minimum qualifying score is 46.00)! Usually, qualification also requires a compulsory routine score. However, since Addy had already earned her qualifying score in 2020, she was not required to qualify again due to special COVID considerations. Next stop for Addy will be The GK Hopes Championships in Indianapolis next weekend (April 24-25, 2021). https://usagym.org/pages/post.html?PostID=25979

Simone Brown's optional routine score was 0.2 shy of qualifying for HOPES Elite status in the 13-14-year-old age group. However, she had a fantastic meet and took the vault title as well as a second place finish on bars!

Addison Hutto also attended and achieved a qualifying elite compulsory score for the 2021 season.

Elite Optional Scores:

Elite Compulsory Scores:

The XCEL State Championships were also held over the weekend. Since this championship was virtual, the competition took place at FIF. Lilian Galdamez was named NC State Vault Champion and came in 2nd AA. Layla Campbell was the NC State Floor Champion and came in 3rd AA. Both athletes have qualified to attend and compete at XCEL Silver Regionals, May 14-16 in Illinois.

The Level 9 and 10 Regionals are this coming weekend in Florida! We are looking forward to another great weekend of competition!