 |
|
|
|
| 1/4/2008 1:05:00 PM | Email this article • Print this article | Leaping, tumbling to San Diego
Gymnasts in national event
LAURI ZACHRY
Education Reporter
Members of Platinum Gymnastics in Round Rock want to put the city and the state on the map as they compete this weekend in San Diego against gymnast rivals from California.
To prepare for this weekend's first out-of-town meet to kick off the competition season, gymnasts from Platinum Gymnastics trained throughout the holiday season, said Platinum Gymnastics owner and program director Chris Conner. The only holidays the girls took off were Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
"Our goal is to not just do well as a team in San Diego, but to medal on individual events," Conner said. "We have a great chance to accomplish this. Platinum will show a great debut for Round Rock."
Platinum Gymnastics team members competing this weekend at the National All-Star Gymnastics Challenge this weekend are: Allie Williams, Katy Eliasen, Marisa Threet, Sloane Silverman, Kayla Strohmeyer, Malynda Jones, Shyanne Foster and Monica Minardi. These gymnasts will compete with and against almost 1,000 student gymnasts from California and Texas, Conner said.
Katy and Marisa earned spots on the six-member Texas All-Star Gymnastics Team competing in the National All-Star Gymnastics Challenge in December.
Katy and Marisa earned their Team Texas spots on their individual efforts on vault, bars, beam and floor exercises - all junior Olympic gymnastics events.
Katy earned her Texas team spot by placing third overall with a score of 38.15. Marisa placed sixth with an all-around scored of 38.05 to earn her spot. Katy stunned the crowd with a 9.7 on balance beam and both of the Platinum Gymnastics teammates both tied with 9.775s on vault. The remaining members of Team Texas competing this weekend in San Diego are from Texas Elite Gymnastics in Mesquite, near Dallas.
In October, Katy also earned a place on the A team of the Talented Opportunity Program USA National Gymnastics Testing Program.
Katy has competed in gymnastics for three years while Marisa has been competing for four years. Katy and Marisa both attend Star Charter School in Round Rock.
Kayla, a sixth-grade student at Cedar Valley Middle School in Round Rock ISD, would like to win at least two events in her Level Eight division.
"I've really enjoyed gymnastics," Kayla said. "It gives me an excuse to flip around."
Monica Minardi, an eighth-grade student at Ridgeview Middle School, challenged herself to earn all nines for her ratings during this weekend's competition. She has been involved in gymnastics for 10 years.
"People are amazed that you can do all these skills that not the average person can do," Monica said.
Gymnasts train approximately 32 hours a week to prepare for competitions each weekend in January and February, Conner said.
They follow a regimen of morning practice and training Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 6 to 8 a.m. and every day from 4 to 8 p.m., Conner said.
Monica Subieta, who spends most of her time coaching the Team Texas members, said they work on skills at least one level higher than the levels they girls are currently on.
"Our goal for this meet is to get our feet wet when it comes to the competition season," Subieta said. "We also want the girls to stay calm, have fun and be happy with themselves and what they can do out there."
The next out-of-town and out-of-state meet Platinum Gymnastics members will compete in is Chicago Feb. 7 through 10.
Eleven members will compete in this larger meet with over 2,500 gymnasts from around the country.
|
Article Comment Submission Form
|
|
|
|
|
NEWS
