PARKERSBURG - Local gymnast Rylee Harner is featured in a national gymnastics apparel magazine.
During a nationwide model search last year, 9-year-old Harner was selected to model competitive gymnastics wear for the 2012-2013 issue of Alpha Factor.
"We got her into gymnastics when she was 2 years old, and she has stuck with it," said Katie Harner, Rylee's mom. "She is so excited to be able to represent the sport."
The Harner family has subscribed to Alpha Factor magazine for several years. When the company announced it was looking for gymnasts to model apparel for the upcoming issue, Katie Harner sent headshots, measurements and profile shots of her daughter to the magazine.
The Harners received an email that Rylee had been chosen, and in October, the family traveled to Lebanon, Pa., for a professional photoshoot. Rylee modeled several leotards and was featured three times in the magazine, as well as in a brochure for Aerials, a partner apparel company of Alpha Factor.
A student at Criss Elementary School, Rylee has received numerous awards throughout her gymnastics career, including the All-Around West Virginia State Champion as a level 3 gymnast and State Champion on the balance beam as a level 4 gymnast. She is the West Virginia State Champion for the vault as a level 5 gymnast.
"She practices four days a week, and she still enjoys the sport after all these years," said Katie Harner. "Rylee's 2-year-old sister Aubree is following in her big sister's footsteps, and just attended her first gymnastics class."
