Cobra gymnasts completes 13th year of competitions in Vermont

By Shelby Barsalou
Editor’s note: Shelby Barsalou is the owner of Cobra Gymnastics.

Cobra Gymnastics of Rutland City has brought their 13th competitive season to a strong close with an impressive showing at the USA Gymnastics Region 6 Championships in Westford, Massachusetts on May 17-18. 

During the Vermont State Championships on March 22-23, 409 athletes from across the state competed for spots in the Regional Championships. 

Cobra’s youngest team members, the Bronze Xcel Team, while ineligible to qualify for Regionals, held on to their state title by claiming a 1st place finish over eight Vermont teams with a 115.525 team total. Cobra’s Silver and Platinum teams captured 2nd place finishes respectively with team totals of 116.225 and 110.875.

The top 10 gymnasts in each respective level qualified for the Region Six championships. While USA Gymnastics sponsors two competitive tracks for artistic gymnastics (Xcel and Optional) Cobra qualified 11 athletes in total. Mia Harrington, a senior from Burr & Burton Academy and the Vermont state champion on bars, floor and all-around, competed in the Level 8 Optional championships in Springfield, Massachusetts on April 26. Harrington placed a respectable 7th place on beam with an 8.70.

Qualifying 10 athletes in the Xcel program, the Cobra girls found success this past weekend (May 17-18) as they donned their Vermont leotards and represented the Green Mountain State with grace and strength.

The Silver Xcel team, comprised of girls from Cobra and Regal Gymnastics Academy in Essex, posted a fourth place team finish, a rare occasion for Vermont. Competing against Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, Rhode Island, Maine and New Hampshire, the team showed great showmanship and precision to land a podium finish for Vermont.

Individual Silver Xcel event podium placement includes Bailey Wilbur who set a record for Cobra by placing in all four events and all-around at Regionals. Bailey is an 11-year-old from Whiting who has been competing with Cobra for the past three years. She captured 2nd place on vault (9.475), 8th on bars (9.525), 6th on beam (9.65), 6th on floor (9.475) and 5th place in AA (38.125). She currently holds a spot in the 2025 top 100 floor scores in the nation with a 9.875.

Beatrix Hagge, an 11-year-old from Plymouth and third year member of the team, also landed on the podium. Her outstanding balance beam routine earned her a 9.825 and a 2nd place medal while she stuck her vault for a 5th place finish and a score of 9.4. 

Teammate Mina Gugliotta, a 12-year-old from Killington, rose to the occasion in her first year on the competitive team. Gugliotta captured a gold medal at the State Championships in March with a 9.85 on floor.

Representing the All-Star Silvers Domenica Gagliardi, a 9-year-old from Rutland Town, is in her second year of competing for Cobra. Gagliardi captured three gold medals at the State Championships on vault (9.500), bars (9.700) and AA (37.900).

Catherine Welch, a 10-year-old from Poultney, who started gymnastics in 2016, is in her fourth year of competitions for Cobra. Welch captured three gold medals at the State Championships on beam (9.450), floor (9.600) and AA (37.900).

In the Gold All-Star division, Ella Lamson, an 11-year-old from Middletown Springs and four year member of the team, placed 6th on beam (9.45) and 4th on floor (9.475). Lamson began attending gymnastics in 2016 at the age of 3. Teammate Izzy Skuro, 10 of Woodstock, attained a personal best on bars with a 9.10. Skuro captured four titles at the State Championships on vault (8.750), beam (9.600), floor (9.625) and AA (36.850).

Karsyn Koontz of Jamaica, a six-year member of the team, represented Cobra on the Xcel Gold State Team. Koontz has been involved with Cobra since 2017 and is in her last year of competition for Cobra due to a family relocation. Koontz took home two silver medals at the State Championships on vault (9.15) and floor (9.725) and a bronze medal in the AA (37.175). 

In the Platinum division, Lacy Carmack, a member of Cobra since 2016 and six-year member of the team, hails from Danby. Carmack stuck her vault for an 8th place finish and captured personal bests on beam and all-around. Carmack also took home two gold medals at the State Championships on bars (9.225) and floor (9.6). 

Teammate Ashley Peterman, a 10-year-old from Killington and newest member of the Cobra team, showed great talent and showmanship while representing Cobra on the Xcel Platinum State Team. Peterman attained a personal best on floor with a 9.10 and also captured five titles in the State Championships on vault (8.825), bars (8.925), beam (8.450), floor (9.05) and AA (35.25).

“The confidence, positive teamwork and graceful sportsmanship that is developed for gymnasts at Cobra is life-changing,” stated Barsalou. “Coaches are hardworking individuals who strive to make the lives of gymnasts healthy and enjoyable.” 

Cobra will offer summer camps and classes this summer from June 30-Aug. 15. 

For more information about Cobra, visit: cobravt.com.