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HANCOCK -- It takes strength, concentration and a lot of practice to be good at gymnastics.

At the Superior School of Gymnastics in Hancock, girls as young as five spend at least six hours each week training for competition.

Though the team differs in age and skill level, they have one thing in common:  a love of the sport.

"I like the excitement.  It's getting over that fear and then the excitement after you do something," says Noelle Polakowski.  "It’s probably the adrenaline that keeps me going."

Most of the girls are relatively new to gymnastics, but all 20 who competed at states in April qualified for the national championship.  Nineteen will attend the competition, which is being held at Disney World in July.

"I love competing and showing all the hard work I’ve done in the gym," says Ireland Ingram.

Coaches Sandy Fish and Tammy Clisch have taken three of the girls to nationals before, so they know the team has to be in top shape to compete.  They also hope the girls have a good time and enjoy the experience.

"Clubs we compete against come from really big gyms, so they have a lot more equipment than we do," says Fish.  "Our girls have actually done really well to get to the levels they have with what little equipment we have."

If you want to see their skills up close and help support the girls, you can attend their fund-raiser at the Calumet Schools this Saturday.  They'll be hosting a pancake breakfast from 7 a.m.-12 p.m. and a tumbling exhibition from 1-3 p.m.