Courtney Johnson

It is turning out to be a big year for girls gymnastics and heading into the final regional meets and the state tournament, here is an update on some of the local teams.

Cherry Creek

The Cherry Creek Gymnastics team is the 2010 Centennial-Continental League Champions and won their regional, defeating state champion Overland, with a score of 181.675.

The Bruins are currently the top team in the state going into the championships.

“It has been a big year for us,” nine-year Bruins coach Melissa Holmberg said.

Last year, the team was second in the Centennial-Continental League, second at regionals, and seventh at Class 5A state show. So far, the team has greatly exceeded their accomplishments from last year.

Three gymnasts are currently ranked individually; seniors Sara Green and Chelsea Speck and freshman Sela Buted. At the Centennial-Continental League championships, Speck took first in the all-around with a 37.025, and Green took third with a 36.625.

In addition, Speck was the league champion on floor, and Green on vault.

Green took first in vault at the regional and fifth in the overall. Buted took the bar and floor overall while finishing second to teammate Speck on the beam.

Buted took the all-around title as well, while Speck finished fourth in the overall, fourth on vault and second on floor. Freshman Olivia Solow-Niederma, who has also really stepped up for the Bruins, finished fifth on floor and beam.

Other highlights have been a first in the Cherry Creek and Pine Creek Invites, and second at the Overland Invite.

“The only ‘loss’ we have had so far has been to Bear Creek at the Overland Invite where 16 teams participated,” Holmberg said. “One of our biggest team achievements was placing second at the Overland Invite, as it was considered a mini state tournament. All the top teams in the state were there.

“In addition, our gymnasts went first-second on floor and placed in many other areas.”