Peak gymnast dominates meet
Peak Experience Gymnastics’ senior gymnast Nashwan al-Harazi dominated his four events at the 27th annual Multnomah Athletic Club Open Feb. 13.
al-Harazi, a 2008 Olympian from Yemen, won the floor with a world-level 14.6, pommel horse at 13.3, and parallel bars scored at 11.6. On vault, his best event, he placed 16th in Beijing, he scored 15.4, receiving a 9.6 in execution.
“We are thrilled to have an athlete of Nashwan’s accomplishments,” Shoichi Goto, program director of the MAC said. “He is an extraordinary asset and role-model for our region.”
“It’s still early in the season, but Nashwan did a great job,” said Jim Holt, al-Harazi’s mentor and Peak Gymnastics coach. “We’re looking to upgrade his difficulty on all events and of course be clean, clean, clean, but we are both very pleased with this weekend’s results.”
al-Harazi’s long-term competitive plans for 2010 include the World Championships in Rotterdam, Holland, in October and the Asian Games in China the following month. He works as both a team and recreational class coach at Peak.
“The kids love him and the parents think he’s wonderful,” Holt said. “We are very, very lucky to have such an individual involved with Peak Gymnastics.”
al-Harazi’s next significant competition will be the Rose City Classic in Portland, Ore., March 6.
Gymnasts rock Vancouver
The Peak Experience girls gymnastics team garnered numerous awards Feb. 6 and 7 at the Rock n’Roll Classic Invitational hosted by Naydanov’s Gymnastics School in Vancouver, Wash.
Enumclaw’s Level 4 team was led by Elise Dunning, who scored a 32.45 in the all-around, qualifying her for sectional championships. The team placed fourth among 11 teams in the competition. Hannah and Erin McGuinnius also contributed to team score.
At Level 5 competition, Peak’s Taylor Ansbaugh and Sarah Wooton qualified for state with a 31.00 all-around total and were augmented by Monica Estes’ 29.45, which allowed the Peak Experience team to win the bronze trophy in team competition.
Peak’s Level 7 athletes, Brianna Reisinger, whose 31.00 all-around score qualified for state, and Tianna Johnston had season-highs, as did the Level 8s.
Victoria Hernandez, a silver medal in vault and all-around, and state-qualifier Michelle McKinlay, 31.75 all-around, and Niki Wilson and Kelly Coyle.
Rounding out the team’s accomplishments were Olivia Bannerot’s sixth-place AA Level 9 performance and Molly Matthius’s seventh, both impressed the National Gymnastics Judges Association judging panels.
The Peak team is in action again at the Federal Way Gymnastics Unlimited Pajama Classic Saturday and Sunday.
Roach gymastics hosts meet
Roach Gymnatics is hosting its second annual At the Hop competition Saturday for Levels 4 through 8. There will be three sessions: Level 4 begins at 8 a.m.; Level 5 at 12:30 p.m. and Level 6-8 at 4 p.m.
Door prices are $5 a person.
Concessions and raffle baskets will be available at the end of each session.
Six teams from around western Washington will be taking on the home team, Roach Gymnastics.
Roach Gymnastics is at 1627 45th St. E. in Sumner.
Wolverines seeking coaches
Coaches are needed for Wolverine Junior Football and Cheer as the organization prepares to celebrate its 20th year.
Anyone interested can call 360-802-6411 or download a form at www.wolverinejuniorfootball.com.
Spartan to run at Highline
Sumner High senior Anthony Bertolucci has signed to run cross county at Highline Community College in Des Moines, Wash.
Bertolucci started running cross county his junior year with his best time being 20 minutes, 34 seconds at the subdistrict meet.
During his senior season for the Spartans, Bertolucci improved his time on the 3.1-mile course with a 18:27.6 mark at the subdistrict meet with South Puget Sound League and Western Cascade Conference 3A meet.
“Running for Sumner has been a remarkable highlight of my life and can’t wait to run at Highline next year in the fall,” Bertolucci said.
The Thunderbirds, coached by Taryn Plypick, compete in the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges.
Soccer league registering now
The Sumner/Bonney Lake Recreation Department will offer its second annual youth soccer league for boys and girls.
There will be four leagues: 12U boys, 12U girls, 10U boys and 10U girls.
Registration deadline is April 9.
This is a recreational league with individual registration. Players can be grouped by request when possible. The cost is $45 per child for those attending the Sumner School District or $50 for those outside the district. Sponsors are needed at $150 per team.
Practices are weeknights depending on availability and coach preference. Games are on Saturday mornings or afternoons from May 8 to July 10.
For information, call 253-891-6500.
