Gymnast qualifies; regional meet next

 

Sierra Star Sports

SAN RAFAEL — Courtney Papike, 14-year-old Yosemite High School student and gymnast from the Mountain Area, took third place at the Northern California state championships for Level 8.

She was one of only six to score more than 34.5 points to qualify for the regional championship in Phoenix, Arizona on April 19-21. Courtney scored 35.7 points overall. She competed against 32 other gymnasts.

She also took second in vault and sixth in beam.

Additionally, her Level 8 team from the Clovis Academy of Gymnastics finished fourth at the meet.

Women’s gymnastics competition includes four events: vault, uneven bars, balance beam and floor exercise.  Gymnastics competition starts at Level 4 or 5 and continues up to Level 10.  Beyond Level 10 is the Elite level, which is the level of Olympic competition.