Gymnasts find their footing in Coeur d'Alene

Lisa Adlard had her hands full as an organizer of The Great West Gymfest on Friday. 

But that didn’t keep her full attention from her athletes with Avant Coeur Gymnastics. 

“Way to go, Ruby,” Adlard yelled during a performance. 

A minute later, she was shouting again. 

“Way to go, Abigail.” 

Adlard was pleased.

"They are doing so great," she said.

The 24th annual event has 36 teams and about 1,500 athletes, ages 6 to 18, from across the nation. It’s so popular the field was full in September.

Avant Coeur Gymnastics, owned by Adlard, has 90 girls competing in the invitational that started Wednesday and continues through Sunday at The Coeur d’Alene Resort. 

Adlard said some of the country’s finest gymnasts will show their skills in floor exercise, balance beam, uneven bars and vault. 

“They are peaking perfectly,” she said. 

The all-girls event is highlighted by The Big Show tonight, when those with the top scores will compete in the finals. 

But the event goes beyond points.

Gymfest brings together gymnasts from past and present to give motivational talks, including Daniela Silivas-Harper from Romania, who won Olympic and World medals in her career. 

It also has a midnight dance party at The Resort to reward the girls for their dedication and hard work.

Adlard said that is part of The Great West Gymfest's spirit that makes it unique. That's why it's not uncommon to see girls from different teams cheering for and congratulating each other. 

“I love how happy we make people,” she said. 

Tickets: gwgfmeet.com 

    Luna Perez performs her floor exercise at The Great West Gymfest on Friday.
  

    CJ Destephano goes high during her balance beam routine in The Great West Gymfest on Friday at The Resort.
  

    Jonni Ridolph performs on the balance beam at The Great West Gymfest.