Buckeye Gymnastics Club coach Kittia Carpenter is hoping Nikki Moore has resumed what was a long-standing tradition at the Westerville facility.

Moore has been rewarded for a stellar gymnastics career by accepting a scholarship to continue her education and gymnastics career at Kent State University.

Moore celebrated her special day with teammates, coaches, family and friends at a ceremonial signing on Nov. 11 at the club.

Moore is the 31st gymnast from Buckeye to receive a full scholarship, and the first since 2003 when Jillian Stranges signed with Bowling Green.

"I definitely liked what the coaches had to say and how they had everything planned out," Moore said of Kent State. "I love the campus. I thought the campus was nice. It was really nice to meet the girls on the team."

Moore selected Kent State over Ball State and Bowling Green. A senior at DeSales High School, Moore began competitive gymnastics at approximately 6 years old at Buckeye.

She competed briefly for DeSales her freshman year but decided to concentrate solely on Buckeye.

Moore used hard work and dedication to climb the gymnastics ranks, and has competed at Level 10 for the past five years. She finished 13th in all-around (36.950) at the Junior Olympics National Championships in Puyallup, Wash. in May.

"She is naturally an athlete, which helps a lot," Carpenter said. "She has a great focus and determination, and doesn't allow others to interrupt her process. If someone else doesn't feel like working out, she still stays on track with what she's supposed to be doing. She's very focused in that respect."

Moore credits the coaching staff at Buckeye, teammates and family for her success in the sport.

Moore, who has a 3.9 grade point average, is considering a major in pharmacy study.