Fingers will fly in Mesquite this weekend as more than 400 children from five states compete in sport stacking.
This year's World Sport Stacking Association Southern Regional Stacking Championships will held at West Mesquite High School on Saturday.
Athletes in sport stacking, also known as cup stacking and speed stacking, stack plastic cups in specific sequences as fast as possible.
"It's so cool when I do it," stacker Charlie Cordy said. "I usually see people stacking real quick."
Coaches say the sport, which has taken off in popularity, helps kids improve their minds as well as their hand-eye coordination.
"They're using both sides of their brain," said tournament organizer and Mesquite teacher Ryan Davis. "It's very important from an academia standpoint, not just a P.E. standpoint. By doing that, we can exercise for P.E and engage the brain for academics."
The regional tournament being held in Mesquite this weekend gives speed stackers the opportunity to qualify for national competitions such as the AAU Junior Olympic Games.
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"I like setting records and probably going to the Junior Olympics, and it's fun," said Bismark Hernandez, who holds a school record in sport stacking.
Participants say it takes a lot of practice to get good timing and stay a cup above the rest.
The tournament begins Saturday at 9 a.m. Parents can register their children before the tournament starts.
