Diamond team defends title for third consecutive year
Cobra Gymnastics wrapped up their four-month competitive season with success at the Vermont State Championships on March 18-19 in Bellows Fall, Vermont. In total, 361 gymnasts competed in 13 different levels over the weekend, all hoping to achieve individual and team state titles.
Cobra continues to compete under the USA Gymnastics Xcel program and hosts five levels of competitive gymnastics. This is Cobra’s 11th year with a competitive team, led by owner and founder, Shelby Barsalou.
In individual event and all-around awards, Cobra girls captured 30 state titles throughout the weekend.
The Cobra Diamond team, consisting of the most experienced gymnasts at Cobra, retained their team title for the third year in a row with a team total of 109.825.
While Regal Gymnastics Academy of Essex captured all other team wins, the Cobra Xcel Bronze team set a team record score of 114.95 to capture second place in a field of seven Vermont teams. The Xcel Silver team also captured second place with a record setting score of 114.425 in a field of seven.
The Xcel Gold team captured a close third place with a 109.625, just .35 shy of second place.
For some athletes, a stellar performance is rewarded with a spot on the regional Vermont team or all-star team. These athletes must place in the top seven spots, regardless of age, to attain this honor. Seven Cobra gymnasts qualified for the Xcel Regional Championships May 19-21 in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts.
Coach Barsalou explained, “It’s a goal of most athletes to qualify for Regionals. It’s a celebrated event full of talented athletes.”
Hazel Mabey of Wallingford qualified from the Silver team, while Amelia Gibbs of Brandon and London Febbie of Londonderry qualifies from the Gold team. Maleah Jones of Rutland Town, Karena Kuehl of Rutland, Nadia Tarbell of Danby and Mia Harrington of Danby qualified from the Diamond team.
Tarbell, an eight-year member of the Cobra team, is Cobra’s first senior graduate. “To maintain a private sport such as gymnastics throughout the exciting activities and schedules of high school is an achievement. We’ve been honored to have Nadia with us for so many seasons; she’s a diligent athlete, beautiful performer and kind teammate,” Barsalou said.
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