AMERICUS – The Sumter County Gymnastics Academy is anxiously preparing for March 14 when they will host their third home gymnastics meet at the Columns at Boone Park. The Sumter Shamrock Invitational meet will begin at 9:30 AM,featuring three sessions with the gymnasts and performances by the Fusion All Star Cheer Squads in between each session.

The Sumter County gymnasts will welcome seven out of town teams for their third home meet. Dream It from Tifton, Dosta Dynamics from Valdosta, Elite from Milledgeville, Southern Gold from Douglas, The Gym Nest from Macon, No Limitz from Leesburg and Southeast Gymnastics Academy from Soperton.  Admission for the Sumter Shamrock Invitational is $7 for adults, $5 for children (4-10), $5 for seniors (60+) and free for children (0-3). There will also be a concession stand at the meet where spectators can enjoy popcorn, hotdogs, and other concessions anytime during the events. There are items that will be raffled off during the events such as a $25.00 gift card to Walmart, a gift certificate for a manicure, pedicure and hair cut from Kelly Morrow at New Image Hair Salon and a mini locket with a gymnastics charm and chain from Kim Sellers, Origami Owl Independent Designer #30282.

The first session will begin at 9:30 a.m., the second session will begin at 12:45 p.m., and the third session will begin at 3:15p.m. There will be performances from the junior and senior Fusion All Star Cheer Squads in between each session. In all, there will be 31 gymnasts from the Sumter County Gymnastics Academy competing along with over 100 girls from the other seven teams. The competition will be officiated by eight professional judges who will decide the winners of the four events which consist of the vault, uneven bars, balance beam and floor exercise.

“We’re very excited to be hosting the Sumter Shamrock Invitational for the third year. The meet keeps growing every year with the number of gymnasts and teams competing from across the state of Georgia. We hope that it continues to see growth each year. The way the parents work hard to make this a great meet keeps the gyms returning every year. We couldn’t do it without the help of the Sumter Gymnastics parents and also with the help of the Fusion All Star Cheer parents. We’re also very grateful to the sponsors of this event for their help in making this event a success,” said Sumter County Parks and Recreation Department Gymnastics Director Melissa Singley.

Singley continued “We would like to recognize some of our local sponsors, Custom Performance, South Georgia Technical College, Parker’s Heating and Air, Two Dukes Barbecue, Peoples Bank of Ellaville and all other local businesses and parents who have donated and are helping put this event together for our gymnastics team.”