Crosstumblers shine in national qualifier

Sarah Melia and Gina Gallo of the Crosstumblers girls gymnastics team qualified for the USAIGC National Championships when it traveled to Burbank, Calif., on March 2 to compete at the Golden State Friendship Challenge.

In their first USAIGC competition of the year, the girls did quite well with the Bronze Optional Team placing fourth and earning numerous individual medals.

Twleve year old Gallo competed well in her first competition in the Gold Optional division, qualifying for the national championships and narrowly missing first place on the vault (8.0) and the floor exercise (9.2). She placed third all around with 33.20.

At the 2007 USAIGC National Championships, Gallo was the silver medallist on vault and finished 20th in the Silver division.

"Gina shows so much potential, it is obvious that once she gets comfortable with her new routines she will easily be winning gold medals," Crosstumblers coach Steffany Walker.

Also qualifying for nationals was Silver Optional gymnast Melia, who returned to competition after a three year hiatus. Melia, who specializes in the vault and floor, placed sixth on both with scores of 8.7 and 9.0 respectively.

In the Bronze Optional division, 9 year old Kelsey Bradley placed fifth on beam with an 8.1 and qualified to the Regional Championships to be held in Carson City in May. Fourteen year old Alyssa Bradley qualified for regionals on vault and floor. Ten year old Charlee Bradley qualified on bars and floor.

Crosstumblers is located at 3633 Research Way No. 104 in Carson City and offers classes for both boys and girls ages 4 through 18 as well as trampoline and tumbling classes and performance dance. For more information, call Steffany Walker, 883-5477 or see the website at www.crosstumblers.com.