Local Gymnastics Team Shines in Meets Across the Country

The KIPS Gymnastics team out of Colville has been on the move the past several weeks, traveling from Florida to regional competitions in Idaho and Spokane – and bringing home state qualifications, team trophies, and a long list of podium finishes along the way.

Sunshine And Success In Florida

Several KIPS seniors kicked off the stretch at the Edgewater Classic in Panama City in Florida, choosing the beachside meet as their destination competition, Feb. 13-15.

The trip delivered more than just sunshine and ocean views. It featured strong performances across multiple levels.

Elayna Maddox, competing as KIPS’ only Bronze gymnast at the meet, delivered one of her strongest performances of the season. Despite being the lone Bronze competitor in a new environment, she earned third place on balance beam.

In the Diamond division, Ady Christiansen and Lily Larsen led the way. Christiansen placed second on bars and fourth all-around while Larsen earned second on vault. Christiansen also captured third place on floor and bars and fourth all-around earlier in the weekend, earning her qualifying score for the State Championships.

The Platinum group – Sierra Rogers, Clarity Sloan, and Avaleigh Bird – also impressed. Sloan placed third on vault, bars, floor and all-around, along with fifth on beam. Bird took fourth place on bars, and Rogers added a fifth-place finish on vault.

Silver gymnast Jules Crowder stood out with a second-place finish on beam and fifth on bars and all-around. In the Gold division, Evelynn Hotchkiss capped the weekend with a first-place finish on vault and all-around, second on beam, third on bars and fourth on floor. Anna Kuchynka added a fifth-place finish on bars.

Great West Gym Fest Success

After a quick turnaround from Florida, much of the KIPS team competed at the Great West Gym Fest in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, Feb. 18-22.

The Bronze team made a statement, earning third-place team honors with just four gymnasts competing. Nora Alwine captured first place on bars, beam and all-around, while also getting third place on vault and floor. Wren Helmer scored a 9.7 on beam, won the event and tied for first all-around with Tayana Anderson. Both Helmer and Alwine qualified for state. Anderson added strong finishes, including second on bars and floor.

The Silver team brought home second-place team honors. Crowder, McKinley Harris, Aisley Marx, Rylinn Phillips, Brinley Martin, and Bella Miller all contributed podium finishes. Harris and Crowder both secured state qualifications. Marx won vault, Martin won beam, and Phillips placed second all-around.

The Gold team continued to show growth, particularly on vault. Lila Howes, competing after physical therapy for an ankle injury, returned to all four events and won vault. Hotchkiss qualified for state and won both vault and all-around. LyraLu Bailey earned second on vault.

The Diamond session was an emotional one as the team recognized Christiansen, who is finishing her senior year in Wyoming. Larsen also pushed through a painful hand injury to compete on bars.

The Platinum group wrapped up the Idaho meet with confident performances. Rogers stuck her beam routine, and Summer Phelps placed second on vault and fifth all-around.

Royal Festival In Spokane

KIPS returned to Washington to compete at the Royal Festival at the Spokane Convention Center Feb. 27 to March 1.

The Bronze team opened the weekend strong, with every gymnast earning at least one score of 9.0 or higher. Alwine placed fourth on beam.

The Gold team delivered some of its most confident beam routines of the season on Feb. 28. Howes again won vault, while Bailey qualified for state and placed third on vault.

The Platinum/Diamond group also produced one of its strongest collective performances of the year. Sloan captured first on vault and floor and finished second all-around. Phelps won vault, and Julia Olson qualified for state while placing third all-around. Larsen also qualified for state and placed third on floor.

The Platinum team earned third-place team honors.

The Silver team closed the weekend with a strong showing. Marx won vault and finished second all-around. Martin won floor and placed third all-around. Fallon Fitzgerald won bars, and Phillips placed second all-around.

With multiple state qualifiers now secured across Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum and Diamond levels, KIPS Gymnastics will head to Moses Lake for the Free To Flip Meet March 7-8 – the final competition before the State Championships.