Klahhane Xcel gymnasts opened their 2018 season with a solid showing at the first Freedom Invitational hosted by Cascade Gymnastics West at the Kitsap Sun Pavilion in Bremerton on Jan. 20.

The Silver Divisions girls had an unexpected delay in the start of competition due to a power outage caused by a fallen tree, but the host club quickly rearranged the equipment to take advantage of the available emergency lighting and the girls and coaches continued competition unfazed finishing only 10 minutes behind schedule. Klahhane gymnasts MeiYing Harper-Smith and Kayli Sexton fared well, with Harper-Smith finishing third in all-around (36.05) in the Senior B age group and Sexton sixth in the Junior C age group, scoring 34.7 points.

Earlier in the the day, Klahhane gymnasts captured three first place all-around awards. In the bronze division, Rylee Evans placed first in the Junior age group with an all-around score of 36.65, Anne Edwards took top honors in the Platinum Junior A age group with 35.775 points, and Cassii Middlestead was first (33.5 points) in the Diamond Division Senior age group.

The bronze team of three came back with a third place trophy, competing well against several larger teams. Sadie Miller was third in all-around scoring (35.9 points)in the Junior age group while Jessamyn Schindler scored 36.3 points, good for fifth place in the Senior age group.

In the Platinum Division, Sequim’s Susannah Sharp (34.325 points) and Lainy Vig (33.575) also competed well with both girls finishing eight in their age groups. Emma Sharp also competed in the Diamond Division.

The Klahhane team was scheduled to compete in the Aloha Invitational at Seattle Pacific University on Jan. 28.