FOLEY, AL – The best gymnasts in the Southeast are returning to Foley, Ala. for the 2024 Region 8 Level 6/7/8 Regional Championships from April 26 – 28.
USA Gymnastics Region 8 is home to Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. In May of 2022, Foley was the first city in the state to ever host the Xcel Regional Championships. This time around the Foley Event Center will be welcoming competitors belonging to the USA Gymnastics Developmental Program in Levels 6 to 8. Owner and coach at Bama Bounders Erin Holdefer-Kightlinger is part of the team that bid on the event to bring it to Foley. She explains that while both Xcel and the Developmental Program are different tracks within the sport both are highly competitive and this competition will feature only the best of the best. The event is set to draw 1,150 gymnasts who had to be in the top percentages of their respective states to qualify.
With so much on the line, Holdefer-Kightlinger said the goal is to make it memorable for every participant. She said when putting a bid together Foley was the obvious choice, especially considering the feedback she received after hosting the Xcel Regional Championships in 2022.
“We chose to put a bid in to host Regionals in Foley because of the absolutely stunning event center. Not only is it one of the best in the country, but the City of Foley’s staff is top-notch to work with. They go above and beyond to make hosting an event stress-free and enjoyable,” Holdefer-Kightlinger says. “Everyone that I got feedback from raved about the facility and the hospitality of the City of Foley. Many asked if we would bid again on another Regionals, and here we are. We would love to continue bringing State and Regional competitions to Foley. You can’t beat a place like that.”
Alabama USA Gymnastics state administrative committee chair Mike Holdefer says Foley’s successful record of hosting gymnastics played a large part in awarding the bid.
City of Foley Leisure Services director David Thompson said the Foley Sports Tourism staff is committed to not only making great first impressions but also making great impressions every time an event comes to town.
