AUBURN - It was a long and satisfying day on the mats for the ladies of the Champions For Life gymnastics team, as they played host to three other teams from around the region for the annual Sock-Hop Invitational.
Chet Susslin / The Citizen
Champions For Life coach Walt Kurfis looks on as Kasey Holbrook dismounts the uneven bars at the Sock Hop Invitational gymnastics meet, Saturday.
Champions For Life coach Walt Kurfis looks on as Kasey Holbrook dismounts the uneven bars at the Sock Hop Invitational gymnastics meet, Saturday.
Champions For Life coach Walt Kurfis said he was pleased with the overall performance of every member of his team in light of some strong competition by the other clubs represented.
“There were some pretty good teams here today,” Kurfis said. “From what I saw they had some pretty good routines and I think the other teams did really well and that our girls were able to compete very strongly.”
Competition began with the level four athletes on events like the vault, uneven parallel bars and balance beam.
Champions For Life athletes like Alexandra Peterman, who took first in the balance beam and Jenna Champagne, who took first in the vault, truly shined in level four.
“All of our level fours did really good,” Kurfis said. “They had a really good day today and were the most consistent I think they can be and that earned them some really high scores.”
Level four competition was capped off by a first-place overall finish by 10-year-old Shania Matthews.
The competition was just as lively for the level five-and-up girls, but Kurfis saw them rise to the challenge.
“Overall I'd say they did really well,” Kurfis said. “For our level five, six, seven and eights, this was a really good meet.”
For the most part, Kurfis said he uses this meet as an opportunity to help his team get ready for state competition, which will begin in the next two weeks, and to fine-tune performances and work on the fundamentals that are so important in gymnastics.
“Really this is a warm-up meet for us,” Kurfis said. “It helps get the jitters out and keeps the girls warmed up for states and breaks up the lull from the end of the season to the time states get started. It keeps the girls working on their skills and their performance.”
Kurfis said there were a few things that cost the higher levels a little bit in the overall judging, like falling off the balance beam. Kurfis said these things are expected and they go with the territory of gymnastics.
But more than anything he said he was encouraged by what he saw.
“We were really strong on the beam with our level sevens,” Kurfis said. “And we did really well with our floor and over all I think they all put in a decent performance with our higher levels and they were able to get some pretty good scores.”
And with the focus on the approaching state competition, Kurfis is feeling confident.
“I think they are ready,” Kurfis said. “Level seven states are in two weeks and I think they are in good shape for competition.”
“There were some pretty good teams here today,” Kurfis said. “From what I saw they had some pretty good routines and I think the other teams did really well and that our girls were able to compete very strongly.”
Competition began with the level four athletes on events like the vault, uneven parallel bars and balance beam.
Champions For Life athletes like Alexandra Peterman, who took first in the balance beam and Jenna Champagne, who took first in the vault, truly shined in level four.
“All of our level fours did really good,” Kurfis said. “They had a really good day today and were the most consistent I think they can be and that earned them some really high scores.”
Level four competition was capped off by a first-place overall finish by 10-year-old Shania Matthews.
The competition was just as lively for the level five-and-up girls, but Kurfis saw them rise to the challenge.
“Overall I'd say they did really well,” Kurfis said. “For our level five, six, seven and eights, this was a really good meet.”
For the most part, Kurfis said he uses this meet as an opportunity to help his team get ready for state competition, which will begin in the next two weeks, and to fine-tune performances and work on the fundamentals that are so important in gymnastics.
“Really this is a warm-up meet for us,” Kurfis said. “It helps get the jitters out and keeps the girls warmed up for states and breaks up the lull from the end of the season to the time states get started. It keeps the girls working on their skills and their performance.”
Kurfis said there were a few things that cost the higher levels a little bit in the overall judging, like falling off the balance beam. Kurfis said these things are expected and they go with the territory of gymnastics.
But more than anything he said he was encouraged by what he saw.
“We were really strong on the beam with our level sevens,” Kurfis said. “And we did really well with our floor and over all I think they all put in a decent performance with our higher levels and they were able to get some pretty good scores.”
And with the focus on the approaching state competition, Kurfis is feeling confident.
“I think they are ready,” Kurfis said. “Level seven states are in two weeks and I think they are in good shape for competition.”
Citizen
Hot Jobs
New! Off the Menu
The Citizens' Say
Post your comment - click hereThere are No comments posted.