It’s not hard to catch gymnastics fever around here. It’s been less than a year since the Beijing Summer Olympics and, just down the road, the University of Utah women’s gymnastics team continues to win each week. But this weekend, the thrill and artistry of the sport will come to Park City with Black Diamond Gymnastics’ annual Winter Classic meet.
Youth gymnastics teams from all over West from as far away as Texas will be competing at the meet. According to Black Diamond owner and CEO Katy Heddens, there will be about 500 athletes between the ages of six and 18.
Athletes will be competing in levels 4 through 10. According to Heddens, Level 4 is the first one that allows children to enter competitions; by Level 7, youth compete at the optional or national competition level. Members of the Black Diamond gymnastics team will compete on all levels.
The lower levels competed on Friday, but the main event is Saturday when some of the top junior gymnasts in the West will go head to head in optional competition.
Competition will begin Saturday at 8 a.m. The largest contingent of Black Diamond athletes will take to the mat at 11:30 a.m. for the Level 7 competition. This level is so full that it has been split into two divisions, with the Park City team competing in the second session. Level 8 will follow at 3 p.m. and Levels 9 and 10 will wrap up the night at 6:30 p.m.
Besides plenty of out-of-state competition, the Winter Classic will also welcome judges from outside of Utah. For the first time in the event, judges from Minnesota, Iowa and Arizona will be scoring the event. Heddens said this adds a whole new dimension to the meet for Utah gymnasts because they usually have to leave the state to see out-of-state judges.
The points gymnasts earn at the event will count to toward state, regional and national championships. Heddens said having both teams and judges from out of state gives Utah athletes good exposure before these high-level season-ending competitions.
“We strive for a lot of variety and different judges’ opinions,” Heddens said.
The Winter Classic stands alone in Utah for offering this much size and variety.
“Utahns enjoy this meet because they don’t have to travel far to enjoy this level of competition,” she said.
All of the events bar, beams, vault and floor exercise will be held simultaneously and spectators can arrive at any time. Heddens said that the athletes always perform better before a large crown and the spectators, in turn, will be able to see a high level of talent.
“When’s there’s cheering, it can’t be anything but encouraging,” she said.
The Winter Classic will be held at the Basin Recreation Field House on Saturday beginning at 8 a.m. The entry fee is $10 for adults and $5 for children. Anyone wearing a Black Diamond Gymnastics T-shirt receives free admission. Concessions will be provided by the Park City High School soccer team.