Acrofest 2009

We left Ozark around noon on Wednesday to head for Keene, TX and the annual Acrofest. Even though our drive was only 7-8 hours it still seemed like a long trip! We were glad we didn't have the 22+ hour trip like Andrews or other schools like SVA.

Warming up on day 1

Our shirts - too bad they have a typo... but our graphic design guy and Ryan did a great job with the design eh?

It was nice to see familiar faces - like Chad Moffitt - now the coach at Sandia View Academy.

This Acrofest was different in that the SDA colleges were the main clinicians for the academies and grade schools. They did a great job of working well together and teaching.

Here's Alex Belanios and the Gym-Masters teaching Ozark to throw up an instant 3 high.

They almost stuck it after only 20 minutes of practice.

Now learning how to do an instant Rogers (or something like that) that goes straight into a 3 high with all three people starting from the ground. As seen above the girl holds onto the 2nd's neck and turns around on his hands to face forward.

Going up!
Caitlin and Carlo (can't remember who the base was) stuck this move pretty quickly.

Caitlin and Carlo are two of Ryan's captains.

Coach Lighthall and Coach Knight surveying the teams practicing at Andrews' station.
I think this picture is funny because they are both in their typical "thinking" poses.

Team photo

Flying high with some help from Kelly Baskins from the Gym-Masters!

Kelly flying high on a twisting toss.

Keifer, Keelyn, and Kip Dooley make a 3 high. Keelyn and Kip are homeschoolers who came down to learn too.

Demonstrating their 3 high.

Coming down

Some of our almost-angels

Magen learning to use the silks

Coach Lighthall's Gymnics from Andrews practicing on Friday in the Keene Spanish gym where we stayed with them.

Practicing for Friday afternoon's show at Keene middle and high schools.

Going up at the Friday show...

... and sticking it!

Extending the move

AU Gymnics

I think this is a neat pyramid.

Coach Knight and Coach Lighthall
Hard to believe Ryan would take what Lighthall taught him and be a gymnastics coach one day!
(Check out Lighthall's shoes - they match the Gymnics uniforms perfectly!)

Getting ready for Acrofest

All in rows ready to fan out for the show.

Special welcome from Dr. McArthur - former History prof. at SAU - this is his first year as Academic VP for SWAU. It was nice to talk to his wife Callie who was my Adult 2 teacher in the nursing program.





The theme for the weekend was Facing the Giant so it was appropriate for "Brock" from the movie to come and give vespers and prayer before our show.




Going into the racquetball court to warm up. Ozark went 2nd right after SWAU.

Time to shine! Even with two minor injuries - we were able to add a sub from Andrews and a former OAA alumnus/Gym-Master to make things work. The team was a great success!

Elevator sequence

Throwing Sylvia up to the top. She's our youth director's daughter.

Carleel does a layout on his tumbling pass.
Tumbling was something new to Ozark's routine this year!

Our team has 3 Kaitlyn's, a Cody, Chris, Keifer, Carlo, Corbin, Carleel, Connor, and Clayton. Lots of "kkkk" going on.

The End

You probably can't tell but there is a little girl of maybe 4 pressing at the top of this move showing off the Puerto Rican flag. She was an amazing little gymnast. The SDA universities will fight over her one day if she goes to one of them.

I just love Andrew's uniforms.

Aerial silks done by SWAT and SAU

Gym-Masters always wow the crowd.

The carnage after leaving at 4:30 AM Sunday morning...

... to get back and help their classmates clean the Arkansas Razorbacks stadium - thankfully this is the last time of the school year.

Happy sponsors