GILROY—Gilroy and Hollister gymnasts celebrated the lives of female cancer survivors and helped raise awareness at the annual Pink Meat Invitational at Bay Aerials in Fremont.
The U.S. Sports Level 3 team added gold to its pink outfit by winning the team competition with a score of 108.20. They finished with a score of 105.975, which was significantly higher than the second place Nor Cal Elite. Central California Gymnastics Association took third place with a score of 101.90.
“This is our youngest team with 7-year-old gymnasts and only one experienced competitor,” said USA Sports Head Coach Jennifer Yip. “Even though they were young, they did a great job. I think they will continue to be a team to keep an eye on.”
Gilroy's Abigal Trevino and Katrina Cantu earned high honors in their respective divisions in the individual competition. Cantu took first place on uneven bars with a score of 9.25 and on balance with a score of 9.0. She also placed second in the individual all-around with a score of 35.35.
Trevino placed first on balance beam with a score of 9.45 and second on individual all-around and uneven bars with scores of 35.825 and 8.95, respectively.
Gilroy's teammate, Lee Ann Panfil, won the floor exercise with a score of 9.0 and placed third on the uneven bars with a score of 8.90. All three qualified to participate in the prefectural tournament in November.
Two USA Sports Level 5 Gilroy gymnasts also made it to the podium. Natasha Bui and Isabella Sagau left with silver medals in the individual all-around in their respective categories. Bui also won on the floor exercise with a score of 9.125 and placed second on the horizontal bar with a score of 8.80. Saggau won the vault event with a score of 8.95 and placed third on the horizontal bars and balance beam notching with scores of 8.30 and 8.975, respectively.
“It's still early in the season,” Yip said. “Our players are warming up. We expect great results this year.”
A portion of the proceeds from the rally went to Unite for HER, a nonprofit organization that educates women diagnosed with breast cancer about treatments, and provides support and knowledge. Funds raised through invitations on September 18th and 19th will be donated to the Pink Foundation, which was created to alleviate the financial and emotional burden of USA Gymnastics and NCAA gymnasts, coaches, referees, and their families affected by breast cancer. – Donated to the Unity Grant Program.
