STEP caps season with strong Pasco meet

SANDPOINT — The S.T.E.P. Gymnastics team capped a busy season with a strong showing at a meet in Pasco, Wash., recently, facing some stiff competition in the advanced division. Undaunted and in true S.T.E.P. fashion they put their best pointed toes forward and gave it their all, and much to their surprise, they were able to take home the third place team trophy.

On March 6 the S.T.E.P. kids participated in 90 minute cartwheel-a-thon at the Training Centre. The cartwheel-a-thon is an annual event and the theme each year is cartwheels for cancer. Last year a portion of the proceeds went to Celebrate Life, this year a portion of the proceeds that each athlete raised will go to Tyler Cordle. All together the athletes accomplished 8,080 cartwheels. S.T.E.P. would like to thank all those who so generously supported the athletes and their cause.

In January the S.T.E.P. gymnastics team competed at Flip Festival in Spokane. The rookie team took home 2nd Place, the novice tied for 1st, and the advanced team cracked the top five in its first-ever advanced meet. The advanced girls were some of the youngest competitors in the advanced division.

Amidst routine practice and traveling to different meets the S.T.E.P. team and students have been working hard to raise awareness and funds to support Tyler Cordle in his battle with cancer. More than 50 S.T.E.P. students and their families joined together on Jan. 17 at the Tyler Cordle Benefit Dinner to form a united front of good wishes to Tyler and his family.

The team is coached by sisters Chantel and Bo Whitley. S.T.E.P. teaches top notch gymnastics, while also mandating that its participants be active in a host of community affairs throughout the year. Volunteerism, among many other things, is a pre-requisite for joining the team.