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With three state titles and 13 medals, it truly was a grand finale for the High Plains Academy gymnasts at Cherry Creek High School last weekend.
“We are incredibly proud of how well the girls handled the pressure of a state championship and went on to succeed so well at this meet,” coach KC Sailsbery declared about the CARA summer gymnastics showdown. “It was a huge success.”
Cobbley was once a name connected to bulldozing former all-state Fort Morgan running back Chris, but now it`s the balance and agility of younger sister Kennidi Cobbley that`s drawing rave reviews.
Kennidi claimed three state medals last weekend, including a balance beam state championship (8.475) for all optional level four girls ages 15-18. She placed second all-around (32.3), fifth with her floor routine (8.325) and seventh on bars (7.7) in the highest division of any High Plains state qualifier.
The top six placers in each event earned CARA state medals.
Meanwhile, teammate Nicole Ruff matched Cobbley`s three-medal state effort at Optional Level 1, ages 15-18. Ruff won a state title on bars (6.95) and delivered higher scores during her other two top five-placing efforts: 7.45 on vault (fifth) and 7.55 on beam (second).
Ashlyn Goetz took home the other High Plains state title thanks to a solid 7.5 floor routine. She won the Optional Level 1 age 13-14 competition, although teammate Sara Keller wasn`t far behind that title-winning performance (fourth/7.425).
Keller was one of six High Plains girls who earned one state medal apiece. The others were Megan Frick, Taylor Wood, Brianna Frisbie, Kathryn Schoemaker and Amber Lauck.
Schoemaker`s fantastic floor routine (8.9) was second at compulsory level four, age 8, and represented High Plains` highest state score for the weekend.
Yet there were several more strong efforts from qualifiers Morgan Marcus, Samantha Scott, Mikayla O`Canas and Peyton Smith.
“Just making it to state is a great achievement,” Sailsbery concluded. “We are so proud. But we hope to see bigger and better things as we grow a program in Morgan County. Congrats to all the state competitors!”
High Plains will take a “small break” and begin training again in September. Sailsbery will also focus on coaching the Fort Morgan Mustangs fall team, which is coming off consecutive 4A top four team finishes.
A complete recap of High Plains state qualifiers who competed at Cherry Creek High School last weekend:
Optional level 3, ages 13-18
All-around: 2. Kennidi Cobbley 32.3. Vault: 15. Cobbley 7.8. Bars: 7. Cobbley 7.7. Beam: 1. COBBLEY 8.475. Floor: 5. Cobbley 8.325.
Optional level 2, ages 13-18
Bars: 8. Morgan Marcus 7.3. Beam: 11. Samantha Scott 6.95.
Optional level 1, ages 15-18
All-around: Nicole Ruff 21.95, Megan Frick 19.7. Vault: 5. Ruff 7.45, 7. Frick 7.2. Bars: 1. RUFF 6.95. Beam: 2. Ruff 7.55, 9. Frick 5.5. Floor: 4. Frick 7.7.
Optional level 1, ages 13-14
All-around: 9. Sara Keller 26.425, Ashlyn Goetz 21.1. Vault: 9. Goetz 7.75, 13. Keller 7.45. Bars: 12. Keller 5.65. Beam: 11. Keller 5.9, 12. Goetz 5.85. Floor: 1. GOETZ 7.5, 4. Keller 7.425, 15. Mauri Lundquist 5.3.
Optional level 1, ages 7-10
All-around: Taylor Wood 14.7. Vault: 11. Wood 7.35. Beam: 3. Wood 7.35.
Compulsory level 5, age 11
All-around: 10. Mikayla O`Canas 28.525. Vault: 7. O`Canas 8.0. Bars: 12. O`Canas 7.1. Beam: 14. O`Canas 5.85. Floor: 13. O`Canas 7.575.
Compulsory level 5, ages 7-9
Floor: 11. Peyton Smith 8.0.
Compulsory level 4, age 11
Floor: 3. Brianna Frisbie 8.775.
Compulsory level 4, age 8
All-around: 10. Kathryn Schoemaker 31.05. Vault: 12. Schoemaker 8.25. Bars: 15. Schoemaker 7.3. Beam: 15. Schoemaker 6.6. Floor: 2. Schoemaker 8.9, 5. Amber Lauck 8.625.
