Silver State Gymnast shine

It was only fitting that the Carson City Silver State Gymnastic Academy team returned to competition in Reno's Eye Opener meet because that's exactly what it did - opened eyes.

After a short off-season, the team came away with many outstanding performances and several awards in the meet held this past weekend.

The awakening began with Hannah Winder dominating the level 6, 7-12 year old division. Winder won the uneven bars, balance beam and floor exercise and took second in the vault on her way to winning the all-around title. Also doing her part at level 6, 13 year old and over, was Samantha Cobb who won bars, took third on beam and third on floor on her way to third in the all-around. Ciara Maradiaga who was in the level 6, 7-12 year old division had a solid performance by capturing third in bars, beam, floor and the all-around.

The awakening continued with Savanna Maradiaga competing in her first ever meet. After years of watching her older sister Ciara compete and win, Savanna was feeling a little extra pressure to do well, and do well she did. She took third in bars and beam on her way to taking fourth in the all-around in the level 4, 6-8 year old division.

Not to be outdone, Louisa Lopez and Mikayla Story were making their mark in the level 4, 9 year old division which was the largest and most difficult one of the meet. Lopez took home first in beam and floor on her way to second in the all-around.

Right behind her was Story, who took first bars and second in beam on he way to third in the all-around. The combined efforts of the girls resulted in a second place team award for Silver State.