Gymnasts advance to nationals

The Crosstumblers' Girls Gymnastics team of Carson City performed extremely well at the USAIGC State Championships held May 15 in Mountain View, Calif.

Although nine gymnasts from Crosstumblers had qualified to the State Championships in the Bronze Optional Division, only four were able to attend. The gymnasts that did compete, however, swept the competition, bringing home nine first place finishes and the second place team award with all qualifying to the USAIGC National Championships to be held in Orlando, Fla. in late June.

The team was led by Annika Crowe, whose nearly flawless performance on every event earned her State All Around Champion honors in the 12 year old division.

Beginning on unparallel bars, her weakest event, she received a 9.0 which would later warrant second place. Continuing on balance beam, her precision and practice overcame nerves as she was awarded first place with a 9.2. Performing her floor routine to Copeland's "Hoedown," she was rewarded for her beautiful tumbling and dance sequences with a 9.05 again placing first. Finishing up on the vault with a 9.2 she once again took first place. Crowe is now training on new skills that are needed to be able to compete as a Gold Optional (Level 8) next year.

Crowe's twin sister, Katherine, also had a good competition placing third in the all-around. After a fall on bars, she regained her concentration to receive a 9.1 on beam to place second. Performing her floor routine with the "stage presence" of a polished actress she was rewarded with a 9.05 to tie as the State Floor Champion with her sister.

Finishing the competition on vault, her weakest event, she performed the best vault she has ever done to receive a 9.0 for third place. Katherine's future goals are to compete as a Level 6 gymnast as she prepares for Silver Optionals (Level 7) next year.

After taking time off to swim for Carson High, Danielle Hollenbeck-Pringle returned to full gymnastics training less than a week before she was also named the State All Around Champion in the senior division. Her primary goal was to qualify for nationals, however her hard work and determination resulted in first place finishes on vault (8.75), bars (8.5), and beam (9.1) as well as a second place on floor (8.6).

Hollenbeck-Pringle began gymnastics at the age of 14, and intends to upgrade her skills over the summer in order to receive a scholarship to college.

Ten-year-old Michelle McDonald rounded out the team receiving a 9.1 for second place on beam and third place (8.675) on floor. McDonald is now training to compete in Silver Optionals next year.

The Crosstumbler's Gymnastics team members work out between six and 13 hours a week depending on the personal goals of each gymnast. Crosstumblers is located at 910 Mallory Way No. 3. For more information, call Steffany Walker, 883-5477.

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Photo is

Crosstumblers' Bronze Optional gymnasts Danielle Hollenbeck-Pringle,

Katherine Crowe, Michelle McDonald, and Annika Crowe (Left to right)