Kagan Eden has his sights set on a third straight trip to the National Gymnastics Championships.

He's off to a good start.

Eden, an 18-year-old senior at Seneca Valley High School, won his level at the 14th annual Tim Weaver Invitational Dec. 4 in Hanover, Pa.

The event marked the beginning of the Region 7 competitive season.

Competing in six events at Level 10, the highest level of competition before college, Eden placed first overall with a final score of 50.10.

"It was a good start, but I plan to improve with each competition this season," said Eden

The performance helped Eden's team, the Pittsburgh Northstars, to capture first place at the event.

Growing up near St. Louis, Eden didn't have to go out of his way for exposure to the sport.

"My three older brothers were all involved in gymnastics," he said. "I got into it when I was about 10 years old.

"At first, I didn't like it. There was a lot of work involved. But through practice, I improved and began to enjoy it."

Eden's family moved to Pennsylvania five years ago, a move that has proven to be beneficial to his gymnastics career.

"The sport is much bigger here," Eden said. "In Missouri, there are three competitive teams across the whole state. Here in Pennsylvania, there are at least 10."

Eden trains at Jewart's Gymnastics, near North Park. He spends 20 hours every week there, even during the off-season.

"It is difficult balancing between gymnastics, homework and other obligations," he said. "But I just love to compete, and I hope to continue with it at the collegiate level."

The Cranberry Township resident competes in six events: floor exercise, pommel horse, still rings, vault, parallel bars and high bar.

"My best event is pommel horse," he said. "I practice it the most, but you also have to have good upper-body strength, which I have.

"Back when I was just learning the technique, I fell off a lot. But I just kept getting back up and trying again. That's how I improved."

The Region 7 season concludes in April. If Eden finishes in the top seven in the region, his season will carry on into May at the national event in Houston.

After getting his feet wet at nationals in 2003, Eden returned last year to compete in San Diego, but an injured wrist kept him from finishing all the events.

"It was two years ago that I realized I could compete on a national level," said Eden. "Getting back is definitely a goal of mine."