Tumbleweeds roll at state championships

The Gardnerville Tumbleweeds gymnastics squad capped another successful season recently with a strong performance at the Nevada state championships in Las Vegas.

The Tumbleweeds had 11 gymnasts competing at the state championships and the team came away with several medal to go along with several level promotions.

Cori Craig led the way for the Tumbleweeds, winning state championships in the level four vault and level four bars. She took third place overall in the level four classification.

"The team did an awesome job," Tumbleweeds coach Casie Warren said. "I was so proud of the entire group, especially Cori.

"She struggled a bit last year and had such a hard time. I'm just so proud of her and what she has accomplished. She's just been working so hard, every day she is the first one here and the last one to leave. She's so motivated and she's taken on some of the leadership role for the team."

Craig qualified for level five next year, along with Brooke Park, Baylee Robinson and Aryana Petrosky.

Level six gymnasts Jenny Ferrara and Jo Herrera each qualified for level seven next year.

"That's a big step for them," Warren said of the two. "From level six on down, everyone does the same routine, it is compulsory.

"Starting at level seven, they can start creating their own routines and we can choreograph it for them. They get to show off some other skills. It's really exciting."

Warren said the Tumbleweeds boys' squad of Branden Basche, Mason Parodi, John Herrera and Sterling Freeman, did exceptionally well, especially in the vault excercises.

Other Tumbleweeds athletes who had solid seasons were Maya Krug and Kaelyn Dion.

"The team was just a lot of fun to be around this season," Warren said. "We have three new girls already for next year and we're always looking to add more. It is just exciting to be a part of."

For more information on the Gardnerville Tumbleweeds, call 265-6197.