COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The Coldwater Lady Cardinal gymnastics team hosted the Parma Western Panthers for a conference match in their home gym on Thursday but a shorthanded Coldwater squad dropped the makeup meet by a margin of 126.45 to 122.35.
Coach Kim Nichols said, “It was actually a very close competition for the first half. We weren’t really expecting it though because we’ve got some girls out due to illness. Tonight was truly a team effort and we had gymnasts performing in new positions to build that team score. I’m very impressed that this young team kept pace with them and even pulled a team qualifying score, given the circumstances.”
The two teams were in a close race in the first two rotations, but Coldwater struggled on the balance beam, giving Western the solid lead. The two teams were equally matched on the floor exercise to finish the meet. The competition really came down to the depth of each team. It was the third, fourth, and fifth place positions for each team that ultimately determined the outcome.
Coldwater’s Charlotte Calhoun bested the competition by nearly two full points to claim the All-Around win. The junior standout tallied 34.45 points for her combination of all four events. Randi Dudek was third with her total score of 32.075 (3rd).
Coldwater started the meet on the vault, posting a team total of 32.1 points. Western was just ahead with 32.825. the highlight of the evening was a new skill introduced by Calhoun. She made Cardinal history becoming the first gymnast to ever perform a Yurchenko vault for Coldwater, earning her 8.15 points for her efforts. Dudek led the team with her mark of 8.35 points.
The Cardinals kept the momentum going on the uneven bars where they claimed the first three places. Calhoun successfully landed her new dismount, earning a first place finish with a personal best score of 9.05. Kiraly Schoenauer was next in line at 8.15 points for second place. Dudek tied the third place position with 7.9 points.
Calhoun won the balance beam competition with 8.35 points. Dudek was fifth with a score of 7.475.
Calhoun was also first in floor exercise for their final rotation with a season best of 8.9 points. Dudek earned the second place honors for her efforts at 8.35.
The gymnasts will be hosting their 13th annual Stick It For a Cure next Saturday with the opening ceremonies beginning at 9:15 a.m.. The public is invited to attend and bid on baskets in the Silent Auction, as well as enjoy many exciting gymnastics performances.
Comments