Balancing act
Lennox McClennen with Avant Coeur Gymnastics raises her arms after finishing a routine on the balance beam, level 3, at the 22nd Great West Gym Fest at The Coeur d'Alene Resort on Thursday.
BILL BULEY/Press
Saige Cruize of Avant Coeur Gymnastics focuses before taking the balance beam at the Great West Gym Fest at The Coeur d'Alene Resort on Thursday.
Members of Avant Coeur Gymnastics cheer for a teammate during the Great West Gym Fest at The Coeur d'Alene Resort on Thursday.
Eve Seaman of Avant Coeur Gymnastics performs on the balance beam at the Great West Gym Fest at The Coeur d'Alene Resort on Thursday.
Luna Perez competes at the the Great West Gym Fest at The Coeur d'Alene Resort on Thursday.
Avonlea Cotten of Avant Coeur Gymnastics performs a balance-beam routine at The Great West Gym Fest at The Coeur d'Alene Resort on Thursday.
COEUR d'ALENE — As members of Avant Coeur Gymnastics took turns on the balance beam Thursday, teammates did not sit quietly.
They yelled, cheered and urged each other on.
"You got this Avonlea."
"Go Saige."
Even a fall was greeted with cheers.
"Get back up. You can do it."
That was the spirit on display on the opening day of The Great West Gym Fest at The Coeur d'Alene Resort.
Nearly 1,800 athletes from 52 clubs — the largest field yet — will compete in the 22nd annual event through Sunday.
Girls as young as 5 to teens will give it their best on the floor exercise, balance beam, uneven bars and vault.
Organizers Dave and Lisa Adlard were pleased with the turnout for The Great West Gym Fest. Adding in family members who travel from Canada and throughout the region, it draws an estimated 7,000 people.
The event is known for its hospitality toward its athletes, who compete for team and individual honors.
Several teams have attended all 22 years.
"We’re pretty proud of it," Dave Adlard said.
The awards room was filled with applause and smiles as gymnasts picked up awards on day one.
Lisa Adlard said the girls develop confidence and strength while training for hours each week, and then being in the spotlight at Gym Fest.
One girl arrived on crutches, unable to compete but wanting to be there for her teammates.
"They're all amazing," Lisa Adlard said.
Athletes also are treated to inspirational talks from Olympians and world champions including Jonathan Horton, Alex Naddour, Daniela Silivas-Harper and Betty Okino, along with American Ninja Warrior Sandy Zimmerman.
"They share their own failures and encourage the kids to stick with it," Lisa Adlard said.
The Adlards credit a great crew, team effort and their longtime partnership with The Coeur d'Alene Resort for Gym Fest's success.
"When we started, we didn’t know it would go as well as it’s going now, but we were in it for the long term," Dave Adlard said.
The Great West Gym Fest continues through Sunday. Tickets are available at the door.
