Gymnastics: Klahhane’s Bronze squad sets new team points record

By Sequim Gazette Staff • February 22, 2023 1:30 am
Submitted photo / Members of the Klahhane Xcel Team’s Bronze squad celebrate a strong performance at the Northshore Invitational in Woodinville on Feb. 4 and 5, racking up a team-record 114.475 points. Pictured are (back row, from left) Lainey DePiro, Morgan Smith and Raeleigh Thomason, with (front row, from left) Charlotte Neville, CarlyMae Riggs, Paytynn Lindley and Mckinlee Thomason. Not pictured is Harper Watterkotte.
Submitted photo / Members of the Klahhane Xcel Team’s Bronze squad celebrate a strong performance at the Northshore Invitational in Woodinville on Feb. 4 and 5, racking up a team-record 114.475 points. Pictured are (back row, from left) Lainey DePiro, Morgan Smith and Raeleigh Thomason, with (front row, from left) Charlotte Neville, CarlyMae Riggs, Paytynn Lindley and Mckinlee Thomason. Not pictured is Harper Watterkotte.

Despite bad traveling weather and a Hood Canal Bridge closure, the Klahhane Xcel Team managed to participate — and excel — in the Northshore Invitational in Woodinville on Feb. 4 and 5.

Klahhane’s Bronze Team continued to prove that small teams can put up big scores on Feb. 4, setting a new team record with 114.475 points. Lainey DePiro and CarlyMae Riggs led the way with two first place medals in the Senior and Child age groups. DePiro (38.175 all-around points) edged her teammate Riggs (38.125) by just 0.050.

“It was a true team effort, with every girl on the team contributing to the score in at least one event,” coach Jan Urfer said.

DePiro and Riggs were backed by Morgan Smith (37.475 points), Paytynn Lindley (37.375), Raeleigh Thomason (36.700), Charlotte Nevill (36.650) and Mckinlee Thomason (36.500).

Team members were particularly strong on the floor exercise, scoring 29.225 on the event out of a possible 30.000.

On Feb. 5, the Platinum Team was led by Scarlett Sullivan taking first on uneven bars (9.375 points) and second in all-around points (36.050) in the Child age group.

Lucy Spelker had a consistent meet on all events and finished fifth in the Junior division with 34.925 points to qualify for the state meet.

Also competing in the Child age group were Mariah Traband and Kira Hartman. Traband was seventh on FX (8.950) and Hartman took fifth on beam (8.865).

In the afternoon Gold session on Feb. 5, Elyse Brown was fourth in the Junior ages group with 36.326 all around points. Brown also was fourth on uneven bars (9.300). Harper Hilliker pick up two third place medals on vault (8.550 points) and floor (9.300) events, in the Child age group. Daylen Williams took fifth place on floor in the Senior age group. Also competing were Raynee Chiarlo and Gracelyn Goss.

Klahhane scores well at Realm Classic, Big Little Meet

Klahhane Gymnastics continued to perform well a week later, bringing back a total of 22 top-three medals from two meets on Feb. 11 and Feb. 12.

The Platinum gymnasts competed at the Realm Classic hosted by Coastal Realm Gymnastics in Everett on Feb. 11, earning back seven silver and bronze Medals. Sullivan picked up four silver medals in the Junior age group, on vault (8.95 points), uneven bars (9.075), beam (9.075) and all-around points (35.525). Traband picked up two more silvers with scores of 8.825 on vault and 34.775 in all-around — which is good for a trip to the state meet in April. Traband also earned a bronze medal on floor (9.075).

On Feb. 12, the teams were in action in two locations. Klahhane’s Bronze team competed at the Biggest Little Meet at Gymagine Gymnastics in Mukilteo while the Gold Team performed at the Realm Classic in the afternoon.

The Bronze Team finished first, scoring 114.3 points. Earning gold medals in the all-around were Riggs in the Child age group (38.30), Lindley in the Junior age group and DePiro (37.65) in the Senior division. Thomason and Harper Waterkotte tied for silver medals in the Senior age group, both scoring 37.30 points. Also competing were Nevill (36.60 all-around) and Smith (36.55 all-around).

In the afternoon session at the Realm Classic, Brown picked up five medals in the Junior B age group placing in every event and taking first in all-around points (37.625) in the Gold division. Brown had a steady, consistent meet, coaches noted, picking up three silver medals and one bronze.

Williams performed well in the Senior B age group, taking first on vault (9.25), second on floor (9.125) and second in all-around (35.77). Hilliker and Goss, in the Junior B age group, added two more bronze medals to the total, with Goss on bars (9.225) and Hilliker on vault (9.10). Ciarlo had a steady meet, scoring 35.70 in all-around points for sixth place in a competitive Junior C age group.

Submitted photo / Klahhane Gymnastics’ Gold Team members include, from left, Elyse Brown, Harper Hilliker, Dalyen Williams, Raynee Ciarlo and Graycelyn Goss.

Submitted photo / Klahhane Gymnastics’ Gold Team members include, from left, Elyse Brown, Harper Hilliker, Dalyen Williams, Raynee Ciarlo and Graycelyn Goss.