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Raegan Mantz likes gymnastics because it helps her excel in other sports.

The 11-year-old from Sterling clutched her sixth-place trophy for all-around excellence in uneven bars, balance beam, vault and floor exercise in her division at Tumble in the Jungle 2011, a three-day gymnastics event that concluded Sunday at Kansas State University at Salina.

While Raegan loves gymnastics, she said it also helps make her a better competitor at volleyball, basketball, softball and track.

"It helps me be flexible," she said.

Raegan was one of about 445 girls from ages 4 to 17 from throughout Kansas and Blue Springs, Mo., that attended the weekend gymnastics meet, hosted by the Salina YMCA.

The Salina YMCA team, the Salina Gemstars, and the Extreme Gymnastics team through Salina Parks and Recreation, had about 75 competitors in the event.

Each girl competes according to age and ability, receiving individual event scores and an all-around score.

Salinan Dalisa Maxton coaches a team of girls ages 8 through 12 that took first place Saturday in overall excellence for her level five team, which she said was a middle-skill level.

"I'm really excited," she said. "The girls have been working hard, and it's nice when it pays off."

Jeff Harris, president of the Salina Gemstars Booster Club, has two daughters in gymnastics, one age 9 and a 6-year-old. He said he's impressed at the dedication it takes to excel in gymnastics.

"Besides the athletic part, it builds a good work ethic," he said. "You just can't do this once a week. It takes a lot of effort and determination."

This is the first year the Salina meet has been at Kansas State University at Salina, Harris said. Last year, it was at Salina Central High School.

"There's more floor space here," he said.

Trisha Fast, coach of the Flip Flop Shop, a gymnastics team from Newton, said she was impressed with the Salina meet.

"Events like this are what the girls work toward," she said.

Last year, Salina hosted the Missouri Valley District Championships at Salina Central High, said Bev Jones, gymnastics coordinator at the Salina YMCA and director of Tumble in the Jungle.

This year's state championship will be April 29 through May 1 in Wamego, she said.

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