Baldwin County gymnasts took the gold at the USA Gymnastics Region 8 Xcel Championship May 6-8 in Foley.

Over 1,500 gymnastics from across Region 8, which includes Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee, filled the Foley Event Center over three days.

Alabama was represented by 107 gymnasts from across the state, including four from Baldwin County. Eastern Shore Gymnastics Academy in Daphne had three gymnasts who qualified to compete, and Flip City Academy in Foley had one.

Flip City Academy gymnasts Saoirse McDaniel, 14, of Daphne competed as Xcel Gold Saturday, May 7, and won gold for her floor routine and uneven bars and placed fourth all-around.

“We are so excited. We could not be more proud,” Flip City coach Lisa Mears said.

Eastern Shore Gymnastics Academy gymnast Luci LeCroy, 11, of Fairhope won the gym’s first-ever regional gold medal on the uneven bars Friday, May 6, in the Xcel Gold level. Rosie Roberds, 8, of Fairhope, followed that up Saturday, May 7, with ESGA’s second regional gold medal for her floor routine and bronze medal on the balance beam as Xcel Platinum. Rylee Cumpston, 10, of Spanish Fort, also had a great meet competing as Xcel Platinum.

“I couldn’t be prouder of my girls,” said Suzanne Hinkley, head coach and owner of ESGA. “We have had so many highs and lows all season and managed to close it out with two golds and a bronze. It was sheer determination and hard work from these girls.”