COOS BAY - Living out her dream, one local gymnast prepares for the chance of a lifetime, something she never expected to happen so soon.

In just a few short weeks, high school sophomore Torie Dellinger will be traveling across the country to compete in the Jr. Olympic Nationals in Florida.

Competing since she was eight years old, Dellinger has worked her way to the top, competing at the highest level of gymnastics, level 10, for the Gymnastics Plus program in Coos Bay.

"I've been told that I am the first gymnast, competing at level 10, from Southern Oregon to qualify for nationals. It's just an amazing feeling."

But Dellinger says it wasn't an easy to road to get where she is now, it took a lot of hard work, discipline and many qualifying meets.

"You start by going to regular meets to get a score to compete at state. Once you're at state, you have to get a score of 34 all around, to make it to regionals. At regionals you not only have to get a score but be in the top seven in your age group."

Dellinger will be competing in bars, beam and floor in the Junior D, 15 and 16 year old bracket.

She is part of a regional team along with six other girls from Hawaii, Washington and Oregon.

Dellinger leaves for Florida on May 15th.