TIFTON — Tift County’s Gym Devils are set to host their only home gymnastics meet Saturday and honor their seniors.

Tift will see many of its area rivals for the event, which is set to start at 1:30 p.m. at Tift Gymnastics Academy. Camden County, Colquitt County, Lowndes and Bainbridge are coming to town.

The Gym Devils have been on a roll recently, with Elyssa Roberts and Rylee Watson already qualifying for state in several events, plus in all-around.

Roberts scored a perfect 10 on vault last week at Colquitt County, which head coach Jodi Roberts said was not only a first for Elyssa, but a first for Tift County.

Coach Roberts is hopeful the team can make it back to the state tournament as a group after barely missing out in 2017.

“It looks like the team has a great chance to qualify as a team for state prelims again this year,” said Roberts. Tift has won two state championships in gymnastics, in 2011 and 2012.

Elyssa Roberts has had at least one first place finish at all four of Tift County’s meets. At North Oconee, she was first on vault and beam and in all-around. At Jones County, she was first on vault and floor exercise. At Thomas County Central, she scored first on vault. Besides the perfect 10 on vault at Colquitt, she had the top score on the balance beam and in all-around.

Watson had first place on vault at Thomas County Central.

“Rylee has really improved this year, increasing her difficulty to have higher start values and earn bonus points,” said Coach Roberts. Watson was injured at Jones County, but with rehab is hopeful for the state prelims.

Lexi Cavanaugh and Briana Nelson have additionally had outstanding performances. Cavanaugh has posted fifth place on vault twice at meets and Nelson was sixth on vault at Colquitt County.

The Gym Devils have finished second as a team at North Oconee, Jones County and Thomas County Central.

Besides Watson’s injury, Tift has been further depleted. Freshman Kenslee Ann Webb has a hand injury and been out for the last two meets. Roberts said they would be “looking for great things from her in the next season.”

Nelson and Cavanaugh are the team’s seniors.

The duo, said Roberts, “have been great leaders this season. They are contributing to our all-around team score and have really worked hard to add difficulty to their events. Our seniors have kept us positive during the season and keep practices fun.”

Saturday’s meet will be the last of the regular season for the Gym Devils. The state preliminary meet is scheduled for April 14 at Dunwoody. The state finals are April 20 at Ola High in McDonough.