Texas East Gymnastics sends Denaya Moore to western finals

Tyler's Texas East Gymnastics was represented in Spokane, Wash., recently by Mineola's Denaya Moore, daughter of Shelly and Charlie Moore. Denaya was one of approximately 300 gymnasts who qualified to this culminating competition for all Level 9 gymnasts from all of the states west of the Mississippi.

The training and competition was fantastic. There was a lot of enthusiastic, loud, exciting music as well as a tremendous level of sportsmanship amongst the athletes., said Martin Parsley, Texas East coach.

At this particular meet some gymnasts competed as individuals and some for their regional team. Denaya trained and competed her skills and routines just as well as she performs them in her own gym.

"For most professional athletes just being calm enough to do your "normal stuff" at a big meet is good enough; after all it was good enough to get them to that meet," said Parsley.

Denaya's steady, consistent performance worked on her behalf and she brought home two medals. Her first is for bars, which is by far her best event, said Parsley. Denaya scored a 9.4 and that was enough for fourth place out of the western half of the United States. The other medal Denaya came home with is the All Around, finishing eighth with a 37.10.

She also scored a 9.25 on vault and a 9.175 on beam.

"It is true to say then, that Denaya Moore of East Texas is the eighth best Level 9 gymnast (in her age group) this side of the Mississippi," said Parsley, adding that he and coaches Stacy Panfil-Parsley and Chuck Dickerson are quite proud and couldn't have asked for more.

While in Spokane, Denaya toured the historic Davenport Hotel, checked out the local mall and hung out in the city's tremendous park. After taking a day or two off, Denaya plans to be back in the gym, flipping as usual. She will begin working hard toward upgrading her skills for Level 10 next year and hopefully qualifying to nationals. "This Level 9 Western Championship experience will be something she can count on in future during times of pressure; be it gymnastics, school or life pressures," said Parsley.