|
It was an improbable finish for the girls of West Valley Gymnastics. There were more than 60 gymnastics schools and clubs competing for the title at the Northern California-State championships at the College of San Mateo, and the 10-member West Valley team was in its first year of competition at the prestigious event.
But, despite the inexperience, when all was said and done, West Valley had won the championship, and they have the trophy to prove it.
Melissa Chuang of Cupertino and Samara White of San Jose each finished first in their age groups to lead West Valley Gymnastics to a team championship in the Level 5 competition.
Chuang, a third-grader at Lincoln Elementary School, was the 8-year-old champ and White was the 9-year-old champion.
Steffanie Sum of Cupertino, in the third grade at Regnard Elementary, was second among 8-year-olds and Ashley Martinez of Cupertino, a third grader at West Valley Elementary, was second among 9-year-olds.
Cupertino's Melinda Wang, a fifth grader at the Harker School, was second in the 10-year-old division.
Sarah Cline of Los Gatos, Alicia Floyd of Campbell, Kayla Gilbert of Scotts Valley, Lauren Lopez of San Jose and Isabelle Monahan of Monte Sereno were other members of the championship team that was led by head coach Diane Amos and assistants Leigh Ann Frank and Alysa Joyce.
White, Chuang and Martinez were all selected by the Northern California Women's Gymnastics Association as members of the state team.
West Valley Gymnastics School is located in Campbell.
|
Contributed photograph