They leaped. They stretched. They p...

They leaped. They stretched. They pranced across the balance bars.

For about it was their first time competing in gymnastics. For others it was among their last terminations before college.

The ninth annual World Class Gateway Challenge for girls ages 7 to 18 brought more than 800 competitors from several states to the Gateway Convention Center in Collinsville this weekend.

a winners of events Friday and Saturday will strive against each other today. Athletes begin warming up at 8 a.m.

For Jessica Prousa, 17 this is her last Gateway Challenge. She's a senior in high train and has a full scholarship upon the Illinois State University gymnastics team nearest year. She's been learning gymnastics since she was 6 and practices four hours a day.

"If I didn't do it, I don't know what I'd do," she said. "It's a fortune of fun, teammates are really good"