Rising to new levels

Kalispell gymnast shines at region events on bars, floor and all-around

When Amanda Weigand, 16, gets back to the business of training next week at the Flathead Gymnastics Academy, she'll be embarking on a new experience.

The Flathead High School sophomore will tackle the demands and challenges associated with Level 9 as she climbs another notch on the competition ladder.

"Have to get a different vault, learn to do a front flip on the beam," Weigand said.

"Have to learn an extra release move on bars and a double back."

Her floor exercise, however, will pretty much remain the same.

"I could if I wanted to (change that routine)," she said. "I think I'll get different music."

Weigand's decision to test her gymnastic skills even more comes after a stellar second season at Level 8 and a top 15 finish at the Girls Region II Gymnastics Competition last weekend in Boise, Idaho. At the region, Weigand was one of eight girls competing with the Montana team. She finished in the top 15 in the all-around with a season best score of 35.55.

Montana's other participants were from Billings (three), Great Falls (two), Helena and Bozeman.

Weigand also hit season best scores in Idaho in two of the four individual events - 9.15 on bars and 9.225 on floor.

"I finally got higher than a 9.0 on floor," said Weigand.

"It's taken me awhile; five years since I've been competing."

She danced, tumbled and jumped her way to new heights for a minute-and-a-half to the music - Pirates of the Caribbean.

"Modified my beginning pose," she said.

"I worked really hard on my dance in my routine, making it better."

Her other marks at the region - 8.5 on vault and 8.675 on beam.

"Would have been (a personal best on beam), except I fell," she said.

This was Weigand's first trip to region competition. She missed out last year when she twisted an ankle two-thirds of the way through her floor routine at state. That was the first event.

There were 170-plus gymnasts at the region from six states - Montana, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Alaska and Hawaii. There were 32 girls competing in the Level 8 all-around with Weigand.

"I was nervous at first," said Weigand.

"It was a good meet for me, but a lot of girls did better. I just wanted to have a good meet."

Weigand qualified for region by finishing in the top two-thirds at state. She finished with a 34.4 all-around and finished in the top eight.

To qualify for state, she had to post an all-around score of 32 or better during the regular season.

"Definitely the team competition," she said of what she enjoyed the most at region.

"It was exciting. The crowd was more intense. Everyone was cheering for you."

Weigand's introduction to gymnastics came 16 years ago while living in Hawaii.

"Half-hour (tumbling) class a week," she said.

"I was just a little kid doing what I was told to do."

Weigand's mat time now consumes the entire year with three-four hour practices at least four times a week.

"I'm a little scared because I'll have to practice more," she said.

"Just work harder I guess when I'm there."

The time-consuming nature of her sport allows her little time to pursue other sports.

She does find time in the spring, however, to compete in track. Her speciality - the pole vault.

The competition season for gymnastics runs from January into April. From May through December, the off-season, "mess around learning new skills," said Weigand.

"I might do it in college if I'm good enough at Level 9," she said.

"Then I could get some scholarship money."

And that would be a dream come true.