Funtastics team wraps up stellar season

The Funtastics Gymnastics Team recently wrapped up an outstanding season. Nine out of 13 Sandpoint team members went to the state championships in Idaho Falls. The girls are grouped by ability and age level.

Sandpoint had two competitors in the Child A division (ages 6-8), Bailie Corless and Sharon Rowe. Coreless received a season-high score of 8.8, earning her a 3rd place on beam, and placed 6th on vault, with an 8.85, finishing 9th all-around with a total of 33.425. Rowe scored a 9.2 on vault, placing her 3rd, and placed 7th with a season-high 8.3 on beam.

In the Child B division (ages 9-11), Abby Kassa placed 7th in vault with a score a 9.2. Elizabeth Nieman competed in the Junior C division (ages 12 & up), placing 6th on the uneven bars with a 8.95, 8th on vault with a 9.15, 9th on floor with a 9.05, and 9th all-around with a 35.625. The Funtastics Level 4 team (Sandpoint and Coeur d'Alene combined) placed 3rd on vault, 8th on floor and 11th all-around.

At Level 5 Child A (ages 7-8), Nan Kiebert was a force to be reckoned with, placing 2nd on vault (9.5), 3rd on uneven bars (9.05), 5th on floor (9.15) and 3rd place in the all-around with a 36.45 (out of a possible 40.0). Her sister Kaylee Kiebert also had a good showing at State with a 2nd place on vault (9.35) in the Junior A division (ages 12 & up), also placing 9th in floor with an 8.9. The Funtastics Level 5 Team placed 6th all-around at state, finishing 4th in vault, 5th in bars, 6th in floor and 10th in beam.

Kayla Kassa competed at Level 6 in the Junior division (ages 12-14) and placed 5th on floor (8.9), 7th on vault (8.7), 8th on uneven bars (7.8) and 9th on beam (8.2), earning her an 8th place in the all-around with a score of 33.6. Chloe Gedrose competed at Level 6 in the Senior division (ages 15 & up), placing 6th on vault (8.8) and 7th on beam (8.45). The Funtastics Level 6 team finished the season with a 5th place all-around, 3rd in floor, 5th in vault and 6th in uneven bars and beam.

At Level 7 in the Senior division Carli Pignolet had an amazing meet. She placed 3rd on bars (8.85), 4th on vault (9.4), 5th on beam (8.65) and 7th on floor (9.0). She won the all-around, just edging out her team mates from Coeur d'Alene, with a score of 35.9. The Funtastics Level 7 team finished 1st in all-around, 1st in uneven bars, 1st in floor, 2nd in vault and 3rd in beam. An amazing showing by the Level 7 team and all the girls.

Four of Sandpoint's Level 4 girls were not able to go to State, but nonetheless had a stellar season. Cassidy Story improved her all-around score from 29.3 to a 32.625 this season. Her skills and scores improved consistently through the season. Darby Pierce had a great season with consistent high scores on vault and consistently improving scores on bars, beam and floor. Her all-around score improved from 29.2 to 33.4. Madison Sleyster scored consistently well in vault and beam, finishing the season with an all-around score of 31.25. Sammy Pitts had a strong season with great scores in all areas. She had high scores on vault at the Desert Classic, and did consistently well on bars and floor.

The team is looking forward to next season. Coach Kristy Winter is a motivator and driving force for the team, expecting nothing less than the best from her girls. Kristy works with the team to bring out their best abilities and best attitudes. Her motivation and encouragement drive the team to reach for the next level and helps them to grow.

"They are great teammates, work well together and are a joy to coach," said Winter of the team as a whole. "They have an outstanding dedication and work ethic."