In the photo: Coach Gary Rafaloski tends to an ankle injury on Hundred youth Paige Shriver, who won the West Virginia Gymnast Championship in Beckley during the weekend of March 28.

Paige Shriver, daughter of Jeff and Kristi Shriver of Hundred, might be only 11 years old, but she is one tough level-8 gymnastic competitor, placing first with an all-around score of 37.025 in the eight to 11 year old division of Level 8 Gymnastics, to become West Virginia State Gymnastics Champ.

The competition was held March 28 in Beckley. Shriver placed first on bars with a score of 9.400; second on beam with a 9.100; second on vault with an average score of 9.175; and third on floor with a 9.350.

With her high score of 37.025, she has now qualified for the United State of America Gymnastics Region 7 Meet in Waldorf, Md., on May 2. She will be competing against gymnasts from seven different states.

After the regional meet, Shriver will be moving up as a Level 9 Gymnast. There are only 10 levels. She will continue to train at the Aerial Port Gymnastics Center in Fairmont, where she is coached by Gary Rafaloski. He coached Mary Lou Retton just one year before the memorable 1984 Olympics.

Paige has competed at many tournaments this year, including ones in Monessen, Pa.; Landover Md.; Gatlinburg, Tenn.; and Columbus, Ohio, where she competed with a broken foot – unbeknownst to her parents or coach.

In the center of the photo: Paige Shriver stands with her arms open wide as she accepts her ribbons for first place.

Paige would like to thank everyone who has supported her, transported her, and wished her good luck all year long.

She is a straight A students who practices five days a week for four hours per night. She competed in Math Field Day and won the local and county cultural arts fair, in which she placed statewide.