Cheek’s Gymnastics Level 3 women’s gymnasts recently brought home more than they expected from a Tallahassee meet. First place All-Around in the 7-8 age group went to Tessa Ferreira. Another top award went to Manning Lewis (9 and up age group) for a second place all-around and third place all-around went to Dallas Smith.

This was the first gymnastics meet that the new and improved Cheek’s Gym has gone to and what a turnout. Cheek’s brought home many ribbons, medals and trophies.

The team consists of 11 girls. There are nine Level 3 girls, which is a beginning intermediate routine. These girls are: Savannah Jackson, 7; Tessa Ferreira, 8; Jordan Gray, 9; Manning Lewis, 9; Rachel McCoy, 9; Dallas Smith, 10; Kelsie Allen, 11; Sam McKinney, 12; and Hanna Ragan, 12. The only Level 5, intermediate routine is Lindsay Brothers, 12 and Level, advanced routine is Natalie Fina, 16.

Each gymnast must compete a compulsory routine in vault, uneven bars, balance beam and floor exercise.

Tom Cheek, owner of Cheek’s Gymnastics, and his daughter and assistant coach Stormy Cheek took the 11 gymnasts and their parents, grandparents, children and some friends to Tallahassee Oct. 14-15. The competition was held in the fabulous Trousdell Gymnastics and Aquatic Center.

All in all, there were 15 teams competing from Tallahassee to Ft. Walton to Gainesville. Around 250 girls competed for top flights.

The girls have worked hard all summer preparing for their gymnastics competition season, which is from September to December.

“Our new facility in Suwannee Heath and Fitness has been a blessing, said Cheek. “We finally have the height, square footage and support we need to train for top notch gymnasts like I had in the 1970s and 1980s.”

“In the beginning, four years ago, I put a gym together thinking it would be fun to have a hobby like teaching gymnastics to kids, he added” Things change, get better and better, and sooner or later we have a competition team. I wondered what I got myself into-so here we go again. Talent came each day and I couldn’t stand it any longer. I knew we had something special again, just like the old Cheek’s School of Gymnastics, which was in the old Nettie Baisden cafeteria.

The girls’ next adventure was tumbling in the homecoming parade and the next gymnastics meet will be held Oct. 28-29. The meet will be held in the Sun Country Gym starting at 8 a.m. on Saturday and ending Sunday around 5:30 p.m.

Everyone and anyone who would like to participate or just come by and watch gymnastics are welcome at Cheek’s Gymnastics, 405 Eleventh Street, Live Oak, FL 32064 or call 386-330-2745 for more information.