Freshman taking a biology quiz. Learning doesn’t stop.

The Acros team traveled to Southwestern Adventist University, November 7-11, to participate in the national Acrofest 2018 and join other academies and colleges/universities teams.  The 30 member team rode the bus to Keene, Texas.  It has been five years since the team participated in a national Acrofest.  Once there they participated in clinics that helped them learn/perfect gymnastics routines.  You can access their schedule here.

Wednesday night was registration from 6-9 pm and then Praise and Worship from 9-10:30 and Worship time at 10:30-11:00.  Breakfast the next day was between 7 – 8 am.  Worship and Warm-ups began at 8 am.  Then there were rotations all day with lunch in the middle of that.  Madison Academy was assigned to Group D along with Midland Academy and

Antillean University.  After supper there was a Showcase Performance followed by Handstand/Butterfly/Etc. Competition.  Coach Ley shared the results on his Facebook page: ” 2nd and 3rd in the handstand contest (Ian and Jake), 2nd in the back tuck contest (Jake), 2nd and 3rd in the butterfly contests (Jake, Sara, Marlana and Rosie).”  There was free time till worship then lights out at 11pm.

Friday was more practice in the morning however teams performed at local schools in the afternoon.  Madison Academy was part of the program at Keene Public Elementary along with Union College, Sunnydale Academy, Georgia-Cumberland Academy and Peterson’s.  Participants were able to relax at vespers and afterglow and then lights out again at 11 pm.

On the final day the team went to church that featured Pastor Michael Gibson. At sundown the teams again came together to worship, lead by Pastor Russ Laughlin, before the evenings performance.

The culmination of all that hard work was shown at the Saturday night performances from many of the academy’s gymnastic teams and Southwestern Adventist Gymnastics.  Madison Academy Acros were placed three spots before the Southwestern Adventist Gym Team finale.  Here is a link for the entire show.  The Madison Academy Acros part is here.

If you would like to support the Acros team, businesses can purchase banners with their names/logos or be placed on the back of the team’s t-shirts for this year.  Contact Coach Ley if you are interested is supporting this organization.