Crosstumblers shine in event

The Crosstumblers' Girls Gymnastics team of Carson City performed extremely well at the USAIGC State Championships held June 5 in Santa Rosa, Calif.

The team was led by Cynthia Terry who competed in the Silver Optional Division. With solid performances on all events, she became the All-Around championship with a score of 34.65 and qualified for the National Championships in Orlando, Fla., at the end of the month. She also placed second on uneven bars (9.05) and third on vault (9.0) in the 12-14 year old division. Terry is now reworking her routines as she prepares to compete as a Level 7 gymnast in the upcoming season.

Also competing in the Silver Optional Division was Michelle McDonald who placed second in the All-Around. She placed second on vault (8.0), bars (7.7), and floor (8.7). Her extreme flexibility and dance technique also qualified her for the National Championships as a specialist on floor.

In the Bronze Optional Division, Kayla Skog missed earning the title as All-Around Champion by a technicality. Beginning on floor, her beautiful leaps and tumbling earned her an 8.8 which would later warrant second place.

After receiving an 8.4 on vault, she performed brilliantly on bars earning a 9.2 for first place. With only balance beam left, Skog performed nearly flawlessly, finishing her routine with what was to be a front aerial dismount. The judge determined that the dismount had such height and form that it was upgraded to a front layout, which is an illegal skill for that level and Skog was penalized two points, therefore receiving a 6.9.

The judge called coach Steffany Walker over before the score was flashed in order to explain. When Walker told Skog, she started laughing, because if she had made any mistakes - bent her knees, arched, or even fallen, she would have won the All-Around Championship. It would have been nice to have a medal, but to lose because she was too good was probably OK, Walker said.

Sarah Melia also had a good competition, tying for second in the All-Around in the Bronze division with a 34.30 and placing second on beam (8.8) and third on vault (8.6). Melia also took first on floor in the Silver division, where she is a specialist, with a dynamic routine that earned her a 9.0.

Also competing in the Bronze Division and qualifying for Nationals along with Skog and Melia were Katie Welton, who earned second on bars (8.6) and third on beam (8.35) and Hayley Canfield who earned second on beam (8.7). Sarah Jones also performed well in her first season of competition, earning an 8.3 on bars and an 8.2 on floor.

The Crosstumblers team is now preparing for the next season which begins in September. Summer classes and weeklong day camps are planned for all levels to help gymnasts reach their goals.

Crosstumblers is located at 940 Mallory Way No. 3 in Carson City. For more information, call Walker, 883-5477.

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Photo is of USAIGC Silver Optionals All Around Champion, Cynthia Terry, at

the completion of her floor exercise routine.