THUNDER BAY -- Giant Gymnastics’ competitive team has had quite a busy January.
The team of 37 girls travelled to Hilton Head South Carolina and Minneapolis Minnesota on back to back weekends to attend two very honorable competitions, and the team came out on top. Although the weather wasn’t as nice as it has been on the island of Hilton Head, the athletes sure shined, coming home with more than 55 medals, and three team awards at the Hilton Head Invitational!
The team returned to practice for just eight days until a quick turn around to attend one of the biggest meets in the state of Minnesota. The Classic Spectacular meet boasted 1,600 athletes, and was a Nastia Liukin Cup Qualifier, meaning there were elite athletes attempting to qualify for the biggest meet in all of the USA, the Nastia Liukin Cup. The competition saw clubs from all over the US, from Missouri, Iowa, Wisconsin, North Dakota, Michigan, and Illinois. This meant the competition would be one of the toughest competitions Giant Gymnastics has attended. The athletes handled the quick turn around and the steep pressure so well, and came home with a First Place team award in the Xcel Gold division beating out the favored Twin City Twisters, and a Second Place team award in the JO level 6 division.
Standout performances saw Olivia Agostino win 1st place on floor for the third consecutive time in a row, Ava Droll take home a 1st on vault and 1st all around, Anna Gaudino claimed a Gold medal on floor and beam, and Piper Plavins had a nice showing on bars finishing fourth. Paige Feletto took home a second consecutive Bars title and gold medal with her 9.45 routine, and Grace Gaudino stood on the podium in 1st and 2nd three times, bringing home 5 medals herself. Grace Porter was the standout performer for Giant Gymnastics, taking 1st place all around for the second time this season, and bringing home 4 other Gold medals along with the all around, also winning a special award for her performance on bars. Her teammates Teanna Dale and Ella Gasparotto were not far behind, placing 2nd and 3rd respectively, making Giant Gymnastics 1, 2, and 3 on the podium.
Giant Gymnastics cannot wait to see what happens next meet, February 24, when they journey down to Minneapolis again to attend the Twisted Moose Invitational!
