ELLSWORTH — Sunday’s four-team meet at Springers Gymnastics Center was “what if?” day for eight young gymnasts of the Down East Family YMCA squad.

For some of them, the answer was very much to their liking.

Coach Doug Springer explained that several gymnasts who already have qualified for the upcoming YMCA Regional Championships wanted to test their abilities at the next step on the competition ladder.

“We had a good number of our kids step up to their next level and learn some new routines,” said Springer, “so that helped pump everyone up.”

Gilly Rice, competing for the first time at Level 5, finished first on beam and floor and second on vault and bars to win top all-around honors for ages 7-9.

Also jumping to Level 5, Madelyn Nida was first on vault, second on floor and third on bars and beam for third all-around for ages 7-9.

Competing at Level 6 for the first time, Paige Sawyer won on the vault and Katherine McKee won on the beam for ages 7-11.

Paige also was second on bars, third on floor and fifth on beam for third all-around; and Katherine was third on bars, fourth on vault and fifth on floor for fourth all-around.

Also taking top honors at their levels:

Ellie Mason had a clean sweep, winning vault, bars, beam, floor and all-around at Level 8.

Alicia Allen was first on vault, beam and floor and second on bars for first all-around, and Mary Lou Ross was first on bars and second on vault, beam and floor for second all-around at the Excel Intermediate level.

Level 4 gymnast Olivia West also attained the second qualifying score needed for her to participate in the regional competition.

Following are the remaining results:

Level 4, ages 6-8

Eleanor Tyne: third on vault, fourth on beam, sixth all-around.

Elena Springer: fourth on vault, fifth on bars, seventh all-around.

Ella Hubbard: eighth all-around.

Level 4, age 9

Olivia West: third on bars, fifth on vault, sixth all-around.

Syra Gutow: fourth on floor, sixth on vault and beam, eighth all-around.

Sara Shea: 11th all-around.

Level 4, age 10

Emily Birdsall: third on vault and floor, fourth on bars and beam, third all-around.

Kajsa Brown Morrison: third on beam, fourth on vault and floor, fifth on bars, fifth all-around.

Level 5, age 10

Olivia Robidoux: third on floor, fourth on vault, bars and beam, fourth all-around.

Level 6, ages 7-11

Eleanor Bannerman: third on beam, fourth on bars and floor, fifth on vault, fifth all-around.

Level 7, ages 11-14

Natalie Klaver: second on bars, third on beam, fourth on vault, fifth on floor, third all-around.

Briana Clark: third on vault, bars and floor, fourth on beam, fourth all-around.

Taylor Wright: third on vault, fourth on bars and floor, fifth on beam, fifth all-around.

The Springers recreational gymnasts are preparing for their own “meet” to be held through the week of June 25-29.

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