Crosstumblers strong at Santa Rosa event

Crosstumblers Gymnastics did extremely well in its final USAIGC qualifying competition in preparation for the Regional championships to take place a week from today.

The team traveled to Santa Rosa, Calif., on June 4 in order to get a last warm-up competition for the Championships.

In the Silver optional division, Gina Gallo defied all odds to win the gold on balance beam with an impressive score of 9.25.

During a gymnastics clinic in 2005, Gallo missed a tumbling pass and severely broke her arm. Although she had her arm in a cast for more than four months, she continued training. She competed as a level 7 in USAG competitions earlier this year, although she had yet to have the difficulty that she needed to win.

"We have continued upgrading her routines every week as she has regained the strength and confidence in her arm," Crosstumblers coach Steffany Walker said. "You usually have a routine and you practice it until it is perfect. With Gina we keep adding back the skills as she is able."

This was the first competition in more than a year that Gallo has competed with her full difficulty including a back handspring on the beam and an Arabian front somi on the floor exercise.

Along with earning the title of beam champion, she also placed fourth on floor (9.25) and fourth in the all-around (35.75). Kayla Skog and Michele McDonald also placed well in the silver optional division, tying for division, tying for sixth on both beam (8.5) and floor (9.1).

Skog placed sixth overall, while McDonald took seventh.

Despite having a slow start on uneven bars, the Bronze optional team did extremely well with Emma Dempsey taking first in the all-around with a score of 35.20, Madison Foley taking second with a 34.65, and Karly Valen placing third with a 32.60.

Dempsey had one of the best competitions of her gymnastics career. Despite having a fall on bars, she still placed first with a score of 8.4. She also brought home the gold on beam with a score of 9.1 and on floor with a 9.25.

Foley took the gold in vault with a score of 8.65. She also took second on floor (9.0) and beam (8.7).

Valen's score of 8.4 earned her third on floor.

The Crosstumblers girls' team will compete in the Regional Championships on Sunday, June 11 in order to qualify for the National Championships held in Florida at the end of the month.

Crosstumblers offers gymnastics and dance classes for boys and girls ages two through 19. It is also offering three weeks of summer camp this year. For more information on the team or any of the Crosstumblers programs, call Walker, 883-5477. Crosstumblers is located at 940 Mallory Way No. 3 in Carson City.