S.T.E.P. kicks off 2019 season at Wine Country Classic
(Photo courtesy of CHANTEL WHITLEY) S.T.E.P.’s bronze team of Leah Hawley, Alyssa Morton, Emma Kohal, Sophia Augustine, Blaire Jenkins, Sonya Lane, Reece Liermann, Sondra Fairchild, Eliana Manning, Annaliese Reimann, Israel McLaughlin, Vivian Schuck, Simona Villelli and Eden Murphy pose together.
(Photo courtesy of CHANTEL WHITLEY) Madison Peck, Lydia Babcock, Alora Weisz, Avery Rose Cushman, Kinsley Vasquez, Megen Vasquez, Alyssa Gardner, Khloe Brady and Emily Babcock hold up a S.T.E.P. Gymnastics banner at the Wine Country Classic on Jan. 27.
(Photo courtesy of CHANTEL WHITLEY) Eva Willis stands atop the podium after winning the gold floor division at the WIne Country Classic.
(Photo courtesy of CHANTEL WHITLEY) Avery Edmundson, Alexandra Fodge, Erika Edmundson, Jahzrael Hammer and Kelly Moellmer comprise S.T.E.P. Gymnastics' Platinum Team.
S.T.E.P. gymnasts finished their first meet of the season at The Wine Country Classic in Tri-Cities, WA from Jan. 25-27.
The Bronze level gymnasts competed on Jan. 25, and their performances set the tone for the rest of the weekend.
The bronze team, consisting of 15 young gymnasts from Sandpoint and Bonners Ferry, placed second as a team in its first 2019 event. Alyssa Morton competed in the Senior B division, taking home second all-around. Leah Hawley took two first place finishes on the bars and floor and a third place all around title.
The Junior C division was dominated by Aspynn Duquette, Sophia Augustine and Reece Liermann, who placed first, second and third on bars, respectively. Blaire Jenkins was a force on vault with a third place finish and a second place floor finish. Israel McLaughlin took a third on bars in the Senior A group and Sondra Fairchild took a third on Vault in the Senior B group.
On Saturday, the five-member Platinum team competed against a crowded field from the northwest and beyond. Erika Edmundson took a fourth place on floor in the Senior A group, and Jahzrael Hammer also took a fourth place finish in the Jr. C group.
The next morning, Eva Willis and Maddie Babin represented S.T.E.P. in the Gold division. Eva Willis turned lots of heads with her floor routine and took the gold for that event. Maddie Babin was injured during her second event, but managed to score in the 8s for the rest of the meet.
The Silver level gymnasts sealed the success of the weekend with a strong finish, finishing fourth place as a team. Kinsley Vasquez delighted the judges and audience with her first-place floor routine in the junior A group. Alyssa Gardner took third on beam in Sr. A., while Lydia Babcock took a second on bars in the Sr. A group.
The S.T.E.P. gymnasts are currently back in Sandpoint, practicing for their next meet, which will be held at the Coeur d’Alene Resort at the end of this month.