Wildcat gymnasts head into break undefeated

Heading into winter break on a high note, the Mount Si gymnastics team easily took care of the Liberty Patriots Thursday, Dec. 17, at Liberty High School, 160.05-145.5.

Georgia Reynolds won the all-around with a score of 35.75. Kennedy Richmond was second with 33.75, and Rachel Karavias rounded out the top three with a third-place score of 32.15.

Though the team is unbeaten as of holiday break, coach Jessica Easthope stresses the ‘Cats are still looking to improve.

“We’re still not there yet on all routines, but we’re definitely upgrading each week,” Easthope said. Several gymnasts on each event are now doing routines with a 10.0 start value, meaning the routines are tougher, but solid scores in those events ultimately help the team score.

Reynolds won both the bars (9.15) and vault (8.8) events, with Kennedy Richmond tying for top honors on floor (9.1) and Karavias winning the beam (9.2).

But it’s the scores of a couple of freshmen who are making some waves. Kennedy’s sister Hannah finished fourth on the bars (6.55), while teammate Jessica Trotto had a solid seventh on the floor (7.5). Trotto and Hannah Richmond also tied for sixth on the vault (8.1).

The strong scores by both Trotto and Hannah Richmond in certain events are pleasing to Easthope, but that doesn’t mean other girls have missed out on a chance to make varsity on a consistent basis.

“We want the fourth spot and the fifth spot definitely filled by any girl. But them stepping up on particular events and contributing to higher team scores on those events is going to help us in the long run,” said Easthope, who added, “I’m looking for any girl to be really my fourth and fifth.”

Gymnastics is a sport which requires daily practice in order to develop a rhythm, which helps the athletes be successful in the long run. The winter break presents an obstacle to this for the Wildcats.

“I know the girls and I could definitely use that time away from school and work. But for gymnastics, it is a consistent thing where you have to put in time,” the coach said. “During the Christmas break, we have five scheduled practices, weather permitting, and that’ll keep us going. The girls know they need to be stretching and conditioning at home.”

Karavias finished second on the bars (7.25) and third on the vault (8.4), while Kennedy Richmond took second on the vault (8.45) and finished third on both the bars (7.2) and beam (9.0).

Mount Si will next compete Thursday, Jan. 7 at home, with the meet scheduled to start at 7 p.m.

Contact Snoqualmie Valley Record Sports contributing Writer Rhett Workman at rwteam97@yahoo.com or 425-888-2311.

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