Perfect balance

Gracie Sanders (pictured), 11, practices for the upcoming Level 7 competition season at Houston Gymnastics Academy. The Mark Twain Elementary fifth grader began gymnastics at only 18 months old, and has been with Houston Gymnastics Academy since age 3. Her favorite event is balance beam, and she enjoys the challenge of this year’s added level of difficulty. Gracie had a great competition season last year and is eager to get started again. During the Level 6 state championships, she medaled in both vault and bars and finished in seventh place overall. To keep up her skills, Gracie spends 23 hours each week in the gym. There have been many tears and frustrating practices, but she says the day she perfected her back walkover-back handspring was the “best day of gymnastics ever.”

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