The event they’ve been training for is fast approaching.
Again and again they’ve practiced the most challenging tumbling passes, honed the precision of countless leaps and turns, and “stuck” dismount after dismount.
Their hard work is already paying off.
All 15 of Riverside gymnastic’s optional team members qualified for the upcoming state championship meet this weekend in Eugene.
“A little more pressure.”
That’s how Elena Cardosi described it, when asked what would be different about State this year.
As a level 8 gymnast, Cardosi is eligible to try for Regionals, if she can score well enough at State.
Competing at level 9, Audrey Hinatsu has goals for the upcoming event as well.
“I want to qualify for Regionals and Western Nationals, so I need to be the best I can be,” Hinatsu said.
As for teammates Hannah Caracciolo, Emma Smith, Courtney Hert, and McKenna Bailey, they all had the same ambition—“Get all 9’s.”
According to Coach Candy Smith, the team is looking good for the challenge ahead.
Based on their commanding performance earlier this month, Smith has it right.
At the March 7th meet at Oregon State University, Riverside virtually “took all.”
The optional team members earned first place all-around honors in every level, in every age division.
“There was lots of cheering,” Emma Smith said. “It was lots of fun.”
Teammate Hinatsu would likely agree.
She swept the competition away by claiming first place in all four events, and finishing first all-around.
Other all-around leaders were Emily Adams, Elena Cardosi, Hannah Caracciolo, Emma Smith, and Krissy Carter, who each took first in their age divisions.
“I was happy,” Carter said. “I didn’t fall off bars, and I got my first 9 on bars, and that was great.”
Individual events saw Riverside on the top podium as well, including Samantha Stanley on floor, and Alexa Baldy on beam.
When asked how she’d like to be beam champion at State, Baldy exclaimed, “That would be awesome!”
The compulsory levels also contributed to Riverside’s success at the meet, with the level 4/5 team claiming second place overall.
In Level 3, Annika Baumgarten, 11, and Audrey Fuentes, 12, were named Junior and Senior all-around champs, respectively.
Baumgarten said she felt “quite great” about the win.
“I was not expecting it,” Fuentes said.
Level 4 brought in several more top performers—Zoe Dunn on vault, Regina Sanchez-Macias on bars, and Halle Haskins on floor and all-around.
The many accolades of the March 7th meet affirm that the team is prepared for what’s ahead.
On the road and in the gym, they’ve sharpened their skills.
Twelve-year-old all-around champion Haskins said it perfectly. “It took a lot of work, but it was worth it.”
Riverside Gymnastics is a nonprofit with recreational and competitive programs for boys and girls.
For more information, visit the website at www.riverside-gym.org or call 541-993-8625 or visit the gym at 2221 River Road, The Dalles.
Commented
Sorry, there are no recent results for popular commented articles.