Practice makes perfect for gymnast Aubra Gallas, working on her routine on the balance beam which she will perform at the state competition. The gymnasts must compete on the beam, bars, floor and vault. [Click to enlarge]

A group of local gymnasts earned a place among the competition at Iowa's State Gymnastic Meet this December.

Eight gymnasts from The Turn Around in Le Mars qualified for the Iowa State Gymnastic Competition in Sioux City Dec. 12-13.

The 7- to 15-year-olds compete throughout the year at meets in Iowa and neighboring states to try to earn a state-qualifying score.

Ellie Meade moves with grace on the beam while working through her routine for the state gymnastics competition. Meade has been in gymnastics since she was five, and she's headed to state this year with seven other local gymnasts. [Click to enlarge]

They perform routines in four areas or skills: the bars, the vault, the beam and the floor.

They have to perform well in all events combined to go to state.

Coach Dory Rohmiller said making it to state is an honor worth celebrating.

Headed to state: Ellie Meade, Allison Wilken, Dakotah Owens, Haley Jungers, Christina Konz, Aubra Gallas, Ebony Stone and Whitney Zenk are gymnasts from The Turn Around in Le Mars who qualified to compete at the state competition in Sioux City on Dec. 12-13. [Click to enlarge]

"They'll spend many hours in the gym working on one little thing," she said. "Then they get two seconds to show it off."

The gymnasts say it's worth it.

Whitney Zenk, 14, has been in gymnastics for eight years.

"It gives you the opportunity to do things you like to do," she said.

Her favorite skill: the uneven bars.

"It feels like you're flying," she said.

Working on the bars, Zenk noted, can be scary.

"But you just have to get over your fears," she said. "And your mistakes will always help you get better."

At meets, gymnasts compete against others at their same level. The levels range from 1-10. Professional elite gymnasts are level 10. New gymnasts start at level 1. They can begin competing at level 4.

Zenk practices 2 1/2 hours twice a week. Right now she's at level 6. Her goal for state is to make it to level 7.

"I'm pretty confident I'm going to get close," she said. "I took some time -- I wanted to feel ready before I went to meets. I am now."

Currently, she's focused on practicing more and getting better.

Ellie Meade, 11, can't wait to perform her roundoff/back-handspring/back-tuck in her floor routine at state.

She's been working on that move for four months.

Meade has been in gymnastics for six years and this will be her third year at state.

It's intense, the level 6 gymnast said.

"You're trying your hardest to qualify for the next level," she said.

Meade practices about three hours twice a week, working on floor, beam, bars and vault skills.

Her advice on fighting through any fear while trying a tricky move?

"I think of me landing the skill," she said. "I think of something that makes me happy, then I go for that goal."

Gymnasts, she said, should have fun.

"Never back down on anything you do," she added.

Dakota Owens, 9, is in her second year of gymnastics and she made it to state for the first time this year.

"I'm excited," she said.

Her favorite move: the roundoff/back-handspring.

How does Owens keep her cool?

"Trusting myself," she said.

U.S. Olympic gymnast Shawn Johnson has handed out awards at state in the past.

"Some of the girls have met her," Rohmiller said. "They think she's pretty great."

Along with Rohmiller, Samantha Rasmussen also coaches The Turn Around gymnasts.

Both coaches competed at state as gymnasts, so they know what it takes.

"It's the most rewarding meet," Rasmussen said.

Like Rohmiller, she is proud of the local gymnasts accomplishments.

"Some of these girls it's their first year on the team and they made it to state," Rasmussen said. "Our gymnasts exceeded what we hoped for them."

The Turn Around gymnasts range in age, Rohmiller said, so some of the older ones help the younger ones.

"I try to have them look up to me so they work their way to get better," Zenk said.

She remembers the days of looking up to her sister and another older girl in gymnastics.

Meade also helps with younger gymnasts.

"I try to show them the skills so they get ready for the next level," she said. "And I answer their questions."

Rohmiller is proud of the way the girls work together.

"They always are encouraging each other," she said. "If a person gets a skill, everyone is excited about it."