After a full summer of competition, Gunnison's CARA competitive gymnastics team finished their season with three podium finishes at the state meet on July 26 and 27.
“Everyone came in a good mood and did super awesome even though everyone didn't podium,” said Head Coach Sam Denham “The fact I took as many kids as I did to state was huge.”
At the regional meet earlier this month, Tesla Weske, Carly Ezzell, Eliza Wickenhauser, Lillian McElyea, Anya Ramgoolam, Zoe Tomaske, Jamie Moran, Taylor Mattson, Atlee Martinez and Luisa Leonard all blazed their way to the state meet with top scores.
With 10 of 22 girls making it to state, Gunnison shattered all previous expectations. Weske led the charge, taking third place on the beam with a score of 7.525 and securing the first of Gunnison's top finishes.
First year gymnast Tomaske also took third place on the beam, scoring an impressive 7.850. Moran scored a 7.700 and took second place with her floor routine.
“I expected to take two kids to state and I had 10 qualify,” Denham said, “I think that shows Gunnison gymnastics is doing so well in our little space that we have.”
Despite exceeding all expectations this year, Gunnison's gymnastics program continues to grow and offers the only outlet for Gunnison Valley kids to compete in gymnastics. As the program grows so does its ambitions.
“[We’re hoping to] build our numbers and get more girls on the team,” Denham said. “We have 12 moving up to be first years this upcoming season. When I started we had 10 total gymnasts.”
The state meet concluded the gymnastics season, however the team will continue to practice at the Gunnison Rec Center until competition resumes in the summer of 2026.
(Evan Bjornstad can be contacted at 970.641.1414.)
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