On April 21st and 22nd, 65 athletes from Hilltop Elite Academy of Tumbling and Trampoline, Inc. (HEAT) traveled to Pana, IL, for the Southern Illinois State Competition to compete against other USTA (United States Tumbling and Trampoline Association) athletes in the entire southern region of Illinois.
Many students were competing against groups of forty to fifty other competitors. Athletes placing in the top ten of their group received trophies. Athletes placing 11th and on received medals. The team brought home 63 trophies.
Cate Leible, Kamdyn Putnam, Piper Walk and Kate Cunningham, all of Hillsboro, reached the highest honor of becoming State Champion, which means they received the top score in their group out of all the competitors in their division.
Avery Maddaleno and Kamdyn Putnam, both of Hillsboro, were also able to achieve perfect scores. Competitors placing fifteenth and above in their flights have the opportunity to go on to Nationals.
Of the students who qualified for this event, Hilltop Elite has 38 students who will be traveling to Nationals the week of June 11th in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Also, during the Southern IL State Meet, a parade of champions was held and many athletes and even coaches were honored.
Two students from HEAT were recognized because of their Advanced status, Jordan Jacobs of Hillsboro and Reagan Skinner of Raymond.
