2020 has been a tough year, but this weekend will be a celebration of sorts at the Foley Event Center as the Alabama Compulsory State Championships come to town December 4 – 6.
The Bama Bounders gym will be hosting the event and meet director, Erin Holdefer-Kightlinger said it’s an incredibly important competition for the 575 gymnasts expected to attend from around the state as it puts a bow on all the hard work they’ve done throughout the year.
“This meet is the big championship meet for Levels 1-5,” Holdefer-Kightlinger said. “This is the culminating meet of the season. This crowns the State Champions for each event, all-around, and Team Champions as well.”
While the competition itself is important, Holdefer-Kightlinger said safety is the number one priority.
“We will be following the state wide mask mandate. We also will be doing temperature checks at the door,” Holdefer-Kightlinger said. “The seating for the spectators will be spread out for social distancing guidelines. We are limiting the number of gymnasts per session. The great thing about the Foley Event Center is that there is so much room for everyone to spread out, which makes it easier to host a meet. Our awards program will be a little a different this year due to COVID and trying to distance, the amount of awards will be the same, it will just be done in a different format.”
Foley Sports Tourism Event Operations Manager Angela Sullivan said the staff is looking forward to working with the Bama Bounders again.
“We have a wonderful relationship with their entire staff,” Sullivan said. “It makes communication easy and it means we are constantly sharing ideas on how to crown these champions in the safest way possible.”
The Alabama Compulsory State Championships will be open to those who follow the COVID protocols. Admission is $10 per adult and $5 per child over the age of six. For more information on the meet or any FST event visit our event page.
