Crosstumblers girls gymnasts shine in event

The girls teams at Carson City's Crosstumblers Gymnastics did extremely well at the recent Eyeopener Invitational hosted by High Sierra Gymnastics in Reno. For most of the team, this was the last time competing in its routines.

In the Level 5 division, 13-year-old Sarah Melia placed first on balance beam (8.5) and floor exercise (8.6), second on uneven bars (7.7) and third in the all-around (32.2). Teammate Katie Welton placed third on vault (7.8) and fourth in the all-around after moving up to Level 5 just six weeks earlier.

Level 6 gymnasts Veronica Anton and Gina Gallo were making their first attempt to qualify for Level 7. Both competed at Level 4 last year. To move up levels a gymnast must receive a 31.00 all-around score in a sanctioned competition. Both qualified for Level 6 last October and decided that they wanted to try for Level 7.

Thirteen-year-old Anton successfully qualified receiving a 31.65 in the all-around for fourth place. Her 9.6 on vault was the highest score of the meet giving her the vault championship. Nine-year-old Gallo however narrowly missed qualifying.

"She fell three times on beam, her last event. Without those falls she would have made it. But she's young and there's always next time," Crosstumblers coach Stephanie Walker said. Gallo did receive fourth place on vault (8.2) and fifth place on floor (8.65)

Level 4 gymnast Hayley Canfield placed eighth in the all-around (31.9), seventh on bars (7.3) and eighth on Vault (8.4) and Beam (8.0).

The Crosstumblers girls team works out three to nine hours a week during the competition season. For more information, call Walker, 883-5477. Crosstumblers is located at 940 Mallory Way No. 3.