By Chris Sokoloski

csokoloski@gtowntimes.com

Chloe McKellar of Murrells Inlet recently won a state gymnastics title in her age group.

The 8-year-old said she was "overwhelmed" when she won and it's the best thing that's ever happened to her.

Chloe placed first on bars and floor and second on vault and beam. Her all-around score of 38.05 out of 40 was good enough for the title.

She said wasn't nervous competing in front of a large crowd, just "really excited."

Overall Chloe brought home three gold medals and two silver medals.

Chloe started taking lessons when she was 5.

"I started her in a recreational class and she just moved up in six months," said Dee Dee McKellar, Chloe's mom.

She trains about 12 hours a week in the winter and 20 hours a week in the summer with Val Spirov and Marie Gryn at Olympia Gymnastics in Surfside Beach.

"It's fun and I get to do what I love," Chloe said.

Her favorite event is beam.

"It's the hardest event because you have to focus a lot and you have to balance," Chloe said.

When she's not training, Chloe is working on her second-grade studies with her mom, who homeschools her. Her favorite subject is math; her least favorite subject is writing.

Chloe goal for 2013 is to win another title at the next level.

"I can already do it," she said. "I'm already ready."