S.T.E.P. gymnasts sweep team titles at season opener
(Courtesy photo) The S.T.E.P. Silver team, pictured from left to right: Eika Willis, Audrey Sheffler, Lacey Wathen, Eva Willis, Rylie Hancock, Taren Bateman, Alexandra Fodge and Kylan Moore.
(Courtesy photo) The S.T.E.P. Gold/Platinum team, pictured from front to back: Addy Heigel, Kelly Moellmer, Leah Moellmer, Kelsey Thomas, Avery Edmundson, Erika Edmundson, Emily Crettol and Lydia Nelsen.
SPOKANE — The S.T.E.P. gymnastics team started the competitive season off in style, sweeping the three overall team titles recently at the Royal Festival at University High School.
The Platinum/Gold team, the Silver team and the Bronze team all brought home first place team trophies, showing the depth of the S.T.E.P. team at all levels.
“The gymnasts have been busy building strength and stamina for the 2018 season,” said coach Chantel Whitley. “Their dedication to consistent practice and precision was evident at the Royal Festival.”
The S.T.E.P. team has pushed hard to break into a more advanced level called Platinum. Kelsey Thomas shined throughout the whole meet in her first foray into the top level, placing first on the balance beam with a 9.3 and third in the all around.
The next highest level under Platinum is called Gold. Kelly Moellmer topped the podium as the all around champ, followed by her teammate Lydia Nelsen who took second in the all around for the junior Gold division. Addy Heigel took the first on the floor and her teammate Leah Moellmer took first on bars in the child age division for the Gold level.
The Silver team made quite the presence with an all around win by Alexandra Fodge in the child division. The junior division saw S.T.E.P. gymnasts own the podium with Lacey Wathen in first, Audrey Sheffler second, and Kylan Moore in third.
The Bronze division consisted of many new competitors who were eager to showcase all of their hard work in their first meet. Madison Peck tied for 1st place in the Older Bronze division. Emily Babcock took the gold in the middle Bronze division and Khloe Brady took first in the Youth Silver Division.
The highlight of the day was when the bronze team took the first place team award, making it possible for the S.T.E.P. team to claim victory in all of the divisions they competed with as a team.