O'Brien, Thiel all-around gymnastic champs in Helena

The Daily Inter Lake

Abigail O'Brien and Jolene Thiel of the Flathead Gymnastics Academy took first place in their respective levels at the Mount Helena Open gymnastics meet on Jan. 12.

O'Brien, a level 4 newcomer to the FGA squad, turned in an impressive 36.4 all-around (AA) score in her first ever gymnastics competition. She posted top scores in bars (9.2), beam (8.9) and floor (9.2). She tied for second in vault.

Thiel, a FGA veteran and level 7 gymnast, posted a 35.225 AA, placing first on bars (9.375) and floor (8.9). She finished second on beam.

This was the first USA Gymnastics Junior Olympics sanctioned meet of the year.

FGA's optionals team of Thiel, Kassady Williams, Megan Dalerio and Andrea Ekegren placed third in the team competition with an AA of 102.85.

FGA's next outing is a home meet on Feb. 3-4 at Stillwater Christian School.

For more information on FGA, call 752-4000.

Place Gymnast Vault Bars Beam Floor AA

Level 4: All ages

1. Abigail O'Brien 9.1 9.2 8.9 9.2 36.4

7. Sierra Crandell 8.4 9.0 8.7 7.8 33.9

10. Taylyn Hubbard 8.8 8.2 8.1 8.4 33.5

18. Kimberlee Bowen 8.3 6.9 8.5 8.0 31.7

19. Tana Berosik 8.2 7.8 8.0 7.5 31.5

Level 5: Ages 9-11

5. Natalie Newberry 8.1 8.35 9.1 8.6 34.15

9. Krystina Williams 8.0 8.9 8.45 8.0 33.35

10. Kolbie Sutton 8.1 8.5 8.25 8.2 33.05

20. Amanda Buxton 7.7 7.15 8.2 7.75 30.8

29. Kylee Buck 7.6 7.25 .95 6.85 29.65

35. Carly Stinger 7.75 -- 7.9 8.1 23.75

Level 5: Ages 12-and-Up

13. Kyrah Kirchner 7.15 8.15 8.1 8.4 31.8

15. Margaret Cornell 7.45 7.9 8.2 8.0 31.55

18. Ashley Rodriguez 7.35 6.65 8.9 7.85 30.75

21. Elora Akins 7.25 8.65 6.7 7.3 29.9

Level 6

5. Brooke Neater 8.7 8.1 8.225 8.25 33.275

Level 7: Ages 7-11

1. Jolene Thiel 8.35 9.375 8.6 8.9 35.225

Level 7: Ages 12-and-Up

7. Megan Dalerio 8.45 8.325 -- 7.7 24.475

Level 8

8. (tie) Andrea Ekegren 8.15 7.5 7.975 9.05 32.675

Note: -- (did not compete in that event).