El Dorado, Kan. - Two gymnasts from the El Dorado Branch YMCA competed at the YMCA National Gymnastics Championships June 25 through 27. Maddy Sanders, who competed in the 8 and under category at level three, placed fourth on uneven bars and tied for fourth on floor. She also placed ninth in all-around, 13th on beam and tied for 16th on vault. Hannah Helferich, 12 to 13 age group in Level 6, placed 13th on bars and beam, tied for 14th on all-around, placed 15th on floor and 16th on vault. Both girls enjoyed the experience. Gymnastics is something Helferich has been doing for some time. "I started when I was 3 and ended when I was 7 or 8," she said. She had then attended Air Capital Gymnastics until it moved to Wichita. Then when she was 10 she started on the YMCA team and this is her fourth year competing. "I love floor and beam even though I am not graceful at either," Helferich said, with a laugh. "I like flipping through the air. "I like conditioning too," she said, to which she received a groan from Sanders. She also likes the competition. "I love seeing my scores because I ask my coach what I did wrong and make a mental note of what I did," Helferich continued. Sanders got her start in gymnastics when she was 1 year old. She said the bars are her favorite. "I can do flips on them," she said. They both enjoyed the competition. "It was really good," Helferich said. "I was ecstatic when my parents told me I was going to Nationals. I was not expecting it." Sanders also was excited. They were competing against between 1,400 to 1,600 other gymnasts. They also said the judges were a lot harder at Nationals. This was El Dorado's First year competing at the national championship.