Six JAG gymnasts qualify for regionals

Having gymnasts qualify for regional competition is nothing new for James Academy of Gymnastics, but having six … that’s something owner and trainer Nicole James never expected.

Starting tomorrow through Sunday, Krista LaFont, 16, of Cut Off, heads to Nashville, Tenn., to compete in the Level 9 and 10 Regionals.

One week later, on April 24, Hunter Kerlegan, 13, Victoria Carmouche, 13, Brooke Brunet, 10, Courtney Bergeron, 11, all of Houma, and Shelby Dreadin, 9, of Montegut, travel to Kennesaw, Ga., for the Level 7 and 8 Regionals.

“I’m excited,” Krista said. “It’s my second year making regionals. We worked hard for it. We practice for 20 hours a week, five days a week.”

The opportunity will allow the girls, who finished in the top of their classes at a recent state meet, a chance to compete against girls from across the United States.

“I’m looking forward to meeting so many new girls and competing against them,” Courtney said. “It’ll be fun.”

The chance to compete on the next level is redemption for Hunter, who qualified last year but was unable to participate.

“I’m really excited to be able to go this year,” she said. “I’m on the regional team as an alternate. I’m excited and nervous at the same time.”

For their coach, the hardest part is actually helping the girls understand what they accomplished.

“I’m still trying to figure that part out,” James joked. “I don’t think they understand yet just how much this could launch them into bigger and better things.”

Krista is the only Level 9 gymnast among the JAG contenders with the chance to advance to Nationals. According to James, Level 9 athletes advance to the Nationals in Tupelo, Miss., while Level 7 and 8 gymnasts end their year at the Regional competition.

All seven of the girls will have the chance to move up in class if they do well enough at regionals, she said.

In the five years since JAG opened, at least one girl has qualified each year. To have seven advance is a huge feat, James noted.

“This goes to show how hard all of these girls work,” James said. “We were one of the gyms that had the most girls in the state qualify. It’s a testament to not only [the staff], but the girls who work hard.”

No matter the results, the girls are anxious for the opportunities ahead.

“I just want to meet new people along the way,” Brooke said. “I can’t wait to get there.”