Krysta Palmer, a resident of Jacks Valley, will be representing the United States at the Flanders Cup in Ghent, Belgium on April 28Ð29 in the trampoline and double-mini events.
The Flanders Cup, a Junior Elite competition, is held in conjunction with the World Cup competition.
Palmer, age 13, attends Carson Valley Middle School where she is currently on the honor roll with a 3.67 grade point average.
She was the 2004 National Trampoline Champion in the 11Ð12 age group. She was also named to the 2005 National Jump Start Team and trained at the National Jump Start Training Camp in Houston.
The main objectives of the Jump Start Program are to identify talented trampolinists between 7 and 12 years old and to serve as a fast-track for young trampolinists from the early years of training through the international level. The athletes are tested for strength and flexibility, general fitness, skills for speed as well as required skills and compulsory routines on the trampoline. The Jump Start National Team is comprised of only six athletes in three age groups.
Palmer trains with Legacy Trampoline and Tumbling at the Flips Gymnastics Center in Sparks and competes at the Junior Elite level.
"I am so pleased to see Krysta achieving this level of competition," said her Coach Mig O'Hara. "She trains five days a week and commutes an hour each way to the gym, in addition to keeping good grades at school. She is very dedicated and is highly motivated to succeed. This will be her first international competition and it's an exciting step in her career."
Former Carson standouts shine in college
Former Carson High standouts have recently stood out in recent action in baseball on the college level.
Tony Teixeira and Rodney Black each had highlights in a recent doubleheader sweep of Truman State for Centra Methodist, an NAIA school in Missouri Teixeira had three hits and three RBI in the doubleheader while Black added a hit and an RBI. Central Methodist is currently 4-6 on the year.
Cameron Leck has also picked up right where he left off after having an outstanding year last season as a freshman with San Mateo Community College. So far this year, Leck is hitting .400 with 10 RBI. San Mateo is 11-6-2 and ranked No. 9 in Northern California.
Wild Hockey takes second in event
The High Sierra Wild Pee Wee ice hockey team took second in the President's Day Tournament held in Santa Rosa, Calif. Teams from Alaska, California, Nevada and Colorado competed in the event.
The Wild opened with a 4-2 win over Santa Rosa 4-2. Wild scores came from Minden's Devon Hotho and Reno's Zach Moore.
The Wild then lost to the San Jose Junior Sharks 6-2. South Tahoe's Scott Volelgesang and Hotho scored thew Wild's goals.
In their third game, the Wild advanced to the finals with a 2-2 tie against Alaska. Hotho was named the game's most valuable player.
The Wild eventually lost to Alaska 2-1 in the finals. Goalie Gabe Mier y Teran of Reno stopped 25 shots. The Wild also got solid play from Carson City's D.J. Freeman and Josh Lee in the tournament.
The team is composed of 10-12-year-olds from the Carson, Reno, Sparks, Minden and South Tahoe areas. The Wild will play in San Jose and Cupertino this weekend.
Biathlon is coming up
Anyone who is interested in trying the popular Winter Olympic sport of biathlon is invited to participate in the 10th Mountain Division Biathlon set for March 26 at Auburn Ski Club on Donner Summit near Truckee.
There will be four divisions for the competition, including a 6-kilometer elite men's and women's race and 3-kilometer novice men's and women's race. Elite competitors will carry their rifles while novices will use pre-positioned rifles. The race is set for 11 a.m. The ski course and rifle range will open at 9 a.m. for warm-up and practice. Prizes will be awarded to the top three in each division.
For more information, call the Auburn Ski Club at (530) 326-3313 or register on-line at www.auburnskiclub.org.