COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The Coldwater Cardinal Gymnastics team hosted the six high school cooperative team of Jackson Area Gymnastics on Wednesday night for the 12th annual Jillian Crist Memorial meet. Each year the Cardinals dedicate one of their meets to their former teammate. Items for the local food pantry are collected, specifically Jillian’s favorite condiment ketchup, and will be donated in her honor. The Crist family also honors gymnasts who display the most school spirit and sportsmanship. This year’s ConJilliality Awards went to seniors Teagan Rabideau and Aroa Ramos Galvez.
As for the meet, the JAG team defeated the Cardinals 137.675 to 126.975. Coldwater posted their second straight Regional qualifying team score and improved from their previous outing by more than three points. The Cardinals are already halfway to earning a team berth to the postseason after only three competitions. “We were very excited to get not only that second qualifier as a team, but to continue to improve our team score overall, ” explained coach Kim Nichols. “This team is doing a great job of applying the corrections and improvements with each practice. They have already come a long way and we’re just getting started.”
The runner-up state champion JAG team swept Coldwater on the vault with the first four places.
The Cardinals had a strong showing on the uneven bars earning 29.075 points to Jackson’s 31.75. It was Coldwater’s highest team score on the event so far this season. Charlotte Calhoun continues to dominate the competition on the event, easily claiming the top spot with her mark of 8.95 points. Coldwater’s Randi Dudek was third with a score of 7.9 points.
Coldwater had three stuck routines, four qualifiers, and six season or personal best scores on the balance beam. The Cards tallied 31.325 points, their highest of the season. Calhoun took second with a score of 8.85. It was a season best score and third straight Regional mark for Calhoun. Kiraly Schoenauer was next in line, earning her second qualifier of the season with a score of 7.65.
Coldwater turned in an impressive 33.7 total points for their final event of the evening, the floor exercise. Calhoun was fourth with a score of 8.725. Jackson’s gymnasts claimed the top three spots.
In the All-Around competition, Jenna Bradley from Jackson finished in first with her tally of 35.775. Calhoun finished in second with her total score of 35.025, a season best. Schoenauer participated in the all-around for the first time this season and finished an impressive fourth place overall (32.325), only 0.025 behind the third place Jackson gymnast.
Coldwater travels to Saline on Tuesday in a tough conference match up for their next competition.
The gymnasts are also making preparations for their big Stick It For a Cure invitational. The Cardinals are once again hosting youth gymnastics lessons and a youth clinic. Children ages 5 and up are invited to attend weekly lessons starting on January 18th through February 7th. A one day clinic is also being offered on Saturday, January 21st with sessions available for ages 2-5 and 6 and up. Go to https://bit.ly/CHSGymLessons to register. Contact the CHS Athletic Office for more information at (517) 279-5931.
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