Cobra Gymnastics wrapped up its regular season with success at the Vermont State Championships on March 19 and 20. In total, 322 gymnasts competed in 12 different levels over the weekend, all hoping to achieve individual and team state titles. For some individuals, a qualifying spot for the Vermont Regional team was also a coveted goal.
Cobra gymnastics team found much success at the Vermont State Championships March 19-20.
For the first time in history, the event was hosted at the Rutland Recreation Community Center.
“Rutland Recreation was so honored to host the USA Gymnastics event for Vermont at the community center,” said Rutland Rec Superintendent, Kim Peters. “USA gymnastics along with local gym Cobra Gymnastics ran a great event for athletes. I hope we are considered for next year!”
The Cobra Diamond team, consisting of the most experienced gymnasts at Cobra, retained its team title for the second year in a row with a team total of 111.70. The meet began with a record-setting balance beam performance, posting a 9.85 by Maleah Jones of Rutland and two 9.70 scores by Jada Hughes of Wallingford and Lissa King of Manchester.
Jada Hughes
“It was an amazing meet for the team,” said Coach Shelby Barsalou. “They were focused and determined, but managed to have an air of joy and ease throughout the meet. It was wonderful to have a home crowd and to perform so well.”
While Regal Gymnastics Academy of Essex captured all other team wins, the Cobra Xcel Bronze team set a team record score of 113.725 to capture a second place win in a field of six Vermont teams. The Xcel Gold team also captured second place with a 111.40 in a field of five teams. The Xcel Silver team captured third place with a 113.1 in a field of seven, just .575 short of second place. While the Xcel Platinum team posted a fourth place finish with a 105.475, they did capture a team win on vaulting.
Cobra will be sending seven gymnasts to the Xcel Regional Championships in May.
“It’s always an honor to represent Vermont at the highly competitive Regional Championships; it’s a memorable event for every athlete who is able to qualify,” Barsalou said.
Phoebe Tashjian and Sadie White both of Manchester qualified for the Gold Regionals while Jones, Hughes, King, Robin Tashjian of Manchester and Nadia Tarbell of Danby qualified for the Diamond Regional team.
In individual events and all-around awards, the Cobra girls captured 32 state titles during the weekend.
Diamond Team— Hughes (8.675 vault, 8.450 bars, 9.700 beam, 9.600 floor, 36.425 AA), R. Tashjian (9.450 bars, 9.600 floor, 37.100 AA), King (8.625 vault, 9.700 beam), Jones (9.850 beam, 9.650 floor, 37.825 AA)
Platinum Team— Iris Tucker of Ludlow (9.050 vault, 8.575 bars, 8.400 beam, 9.375 floor, 35.400 AA), Eliza Dopkins of Arlington (9.00 vault)
Gold Team— Lacy Carmack of Manchester (8.750 beam, 9.300 floor, 35.200 AA)
Silver Team — Jessica Poczobut of West Rutland (9.525 vault), Amelia Gibbs of Brandon (9.550 vault)
Bronze Team — Catherine Welch of Poultney (9.125 beam, 9.275 floor, 36.175 AA), Hazel Mabey of Wallingford (9.725 vault, 9.550 bars, 37.825 AA), Lucie Goelz of Rutland Town (9.575 floor) Bay Sparks of (9.600 vault)
Silver medalist include Bronze Team members Amelia Falco (9.150 vault, 9.250 floor, 35.925 AA), Sophia Gieder (9.050 bars), Ella Lamson (9.450 vault), Madelyn McPhee (9.500 vault); Silver Team members London Febbie (9.450 vault, 9.450 floor) Alexa Kojak (9.425 bars), Olivia Gibbs (9.475 vault), Ava John (9.100 vault, 9.200 floor); Gold Team members Carmack (8.700 bars), P.Tashjian (9.100 vault, 9.275 bars, 36.950 AA); Diamond Team members R. Tashjian (8.525 vault, 9.525 beam), King (8.350 bars, 9.450 floor, 36.125 AA), Tarbell (9.650 beam)
Bronze medalists include Bronze Team members Welch (9.100 vault), Gieder (9.150 floor), Charli Fahoury (8.850 bars), Mabey (9.400 floor), Lamson (9.450 beam, 9.400 floor), Sparks (9.375 bars, 37.325 AA), Sadie Brown (9.250 floor); Silver Team members Hannah Beach (9.125 bars, 8.850 beam, 9.350 floor), Febbie (9.450 floor, 37.425 AA); Gold Team members Carmack (8.450 vault), Romi Buckley (9.300 beam), Eda Mae Fioretti (9.250 bars), Alice Charron (9.500 floor), White (9.225 vault, 9.450 bars, 9.550 beam) Platinum Team members Mia Harrington (8.850 vault); Diamond Team members Jones (8.775 vault), Tarbell (9.550 floor), Karena Kuehl (9.550 beam).
