On Saturday March 28 nine year old Thea Jones daughter of Chase and Felecia Jones, grand daughter of. Gary and Debbie Jones along with Jackie Strydom traveled to Springfield to compete in the Silver division of the 2026 USAG advanced state meet at Ozark Empire Fair. Ninety three young ladies from all over the state of Missouri competed for the chance to advance to regionals which will be held in Sioux City, IA, mid April.

Thea has has competed as a gymnast for team Tumbles out of Bolivar, MO, for the last two seasons. The completion was tough but Thea has been focused on this particular event since the first of the year and had set her sights on taking first all around. In January she traveled to Houston Texas and competed in the Simon Biles Invitational and brought home 3rd all around in the silver division. Two weeks later she competed at Lake of the Ozarks in Rolling Thunder where Thea took gold in every event, gold in All Around and received a “Clean Sweep” gold metal. She then rolled into Springfield for the Winter Games Meet at the Expo Center and took gold in Uneven Bars, gold in Beam, silver in Vault, bronze in Floor and gold in All Around with a total score of 37.55.

She had a three week break between Springfield and state and she became hyper focused on reviewing film of practice and performances along with her favorite Olympic and college gymnast. The week before she competed her coaches Gage Foster and Holly Taylor sometimes Theas routines and said she’s ready! The morning of the State meet Thea started her lucky routine with dad making her breakfast while mom gets every hair into position. She packs her lucky turtles, squishy, pins, blanket and MiMi picks her up a strawberry banana smooths from McDonalds for the trip. Once she arrived Saturday it was game on, she would be the only gymnast competing for her team in 9F and she had a huge crowd of family and best friends there to support her. First was vault…. 9.50 the best score she took first! Next was Uneven Bars…. 9.675 would cinch 3rd, the Beam was next and she’s known as rhe “Beam Queen” …. 9.600 and she get 2nd for silver! The last routine is Floor and mom,dad, grandparents and coaches are on edge, Thea needs a 9.45 for her routine to win that event and be 1st All Around…. Floor has not been her best event! Thea steps out on the floor, big smile and In 60 seconds she smashes it with a 9.725 which blew us all away! Everyone crying even her coaches she finished the day with a score of 38.50 out of a perfect 40 and I do believe the second best score out of all Silver gymnast that weekend.

Thea is on her way as she to Regionals in April and if you ask her what’s next on the ladder of success she says with a confident smile “Im gonna take first!”

Jackie Strydom

The Painted Pinto

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