DECATUR - Hours of practice paid off for Karee Martin on Saturday in the seventh annual Heart of Illinois Gymnastics Invitational.

The Springfield 9-year-old had a lot to be proud of. She did her first front tuck at the competition. Her mother, Tammy, was right there, cheering.

"You did a good job today," Tammy told her daughter, as she smiled from ear to ear. She added, "It was one of her best competitions."

This was Karee's third year in the competition, which took place in the gymnasium of Lutheran School Association. The event, hosted by Decatur's Dynamite Gymnastics, will continue from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. today.

More than 500 girls competed, ranging in age from 6 to 18, traveling from Illinois, Missouri, Iowa, Wisconsin and Indiana. The girls compete in four events: vault, balance beam, uneven parallel bars and floor exercise.

Karee, who was there with Springfield's Gymnastics Zone, participated in all four events.

"You get to spend time with your friends and compete with people," Karee said about the invitational.

"I like the proximity," her mother added. "It's not too big, it's not too small. It's very nice."

The gym was filled with girls wearing sequined leotards and glitter and hair bows that matched the colors of their team outfits. Down the hall, ribbons, medals, trophies and plaques were being given out to the girls. Each girl got a participation medal.

Brad Tubbs, owner of Dynamite Gymnastics, said most of the gyms represented at the invitational are the best in the state.

"As far as the event goes, it's the best gymnastics event as far as caliber in the area," Tubbs said.

Ken Davis, Dynamite Gymnastics gym manager and boys head coach, said there aren't many opportunities to compete in gymnastics in Central Illinois. He said the invitational is the last opportunity for most of the girls to go to state.

"Gymnastics is an incredible sport for boys and girls," Davis said, "and this is a great opportunity for them to show off what they have learned."

Many community organizations have gotten involved with the meet over the years.

Dodie Luker and Jack Holt, both of the Decatur Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, were at the event, volunteering at the admissions table. They have been helping with the event for about five years.

"I remember the first time (volunteering)," Luker said. "It's much bigger now."

"We enjoy meeting the people coming in and helping them out," Holt said.

Luker recalls meeting parents, siblings and even teachers from Illinois and out of state there to support their child gymnast.

"It's great for Decatur to have an event like this," she said.

Alicia Spates can be reached at aspates@herald-review.com or 421-6986.