For Carly Christ and the Union gymnastics team, there’s more to balance than just when they’re on the beam.
Christ is among a handful of Titans gymnasts who are simultaneously competing for their high school and on the club scene this winter.
But that hasn’t been a problem for Union, which has staked its claim as the top team in Southwest Washington so far this season.
Christ won the all-around title Saturday in a meet with Camas, Skyview and Fort Vancouver at Naydenov Gymnastics. Teammates Natalia Warren and Keira Yuthasastrakosol were right behind in second and third, respectively.
That came one week after Gabriella Howard won the all-around title and led Union to victory at the WinterFest Invitational, also at Naydenov.
Howard, who didn’t compete Saturday due to club obligations, turned out for her high school’s team for the first time this year.
Howard and Christ are both juniors who could make noise at the Class 4A state championships next month in Bellevue. Christ placed third in the beam and eighth in the all-around competition last year. That came after she placed eighth in the vault as a freshman.
When it comes to balancing high school and club competition, Christ said one key is to not constantly attempt moves with the highest degrees of difficulty.
“It’s tiring, yeah. But it’s dumbed-down routines,” Christ said. “I’m going to figure it out. Plus, I joined club super late, so that’s more of a buildup for next season.”
With top-eight state finishes in two different events, Christ has many avenues to success as the high school season heads into its homestretch.
“I really love beam, so that will probably be my ‘go for it’ event,” Christ said. “I just honestly want to see how good I can do and see where God takes me. I’m just enjoying it.”
Christ said she was thrilled when her friend Howard decided to come out for Union’s team. There’s a “fun” factor to the high school season that can be a nice balance to the club circuit, which is often more individually focused and stressful.
“The team vibe is amazing,” Christ said. “We all love each other. Even if we’re tired at practice, we all come and want to be here.”
Change in college plans for Senderson sisters
A whirlwind of a week for Jadlyn and Layla Senderson ended Friday by helping Mountain View’s girls basketball team remain unbeaten in 3A Greater St. Helens League play. Two days before a 64-20 victory over Heritage, the Thunder senior guards received unexpected news about their future college basketball team.
Sonoma State University, where the identical twins signed their letter of intent for women’s basketball in November, announced last week it is eliminating athletics at the end of the 2024-25 school year. To address a nearly $24 million budget deficit, the school also is discontinuing majors and laying off faculty, in addition to cutting all 11 of its NCAA Division II sports teams.
Not long after the news broke Wednesday, the Sendersons said they received a call from Sonoma State’s coaching staff. No surprise, the sisters were met with shock and disappointment, but remain upbeat about what’s ahead.
“Playing college basketball is obviously a priority,” Jadlyn Senderson said after Friday’s win, “so even though it’s disappointing, it’s all part of God’s plan.”
Said Layla Senderson: “We’re processing everything one step at a time and just knowing that we have time to figure it all out. Hopefully, we’ll end up where we’re meant to be at the end.”
By Friday, the guards were in contact with other schools who were recruiting them before their commitment to Sonoma State. Finding another program and school that checks off as many boxes like Sonoma State might be hard, they said, but “I think we can do it,” Layla Senderson said.
“Our family has been super supportive about us finding somewhere where we’ll fit,” Jadlyn Senderson said.
Hudson’s Bay bowlers on a roll
The Hudson’s Bay girls bowling team is striking up success heading into the Class 2A district tournament.
The Eagles completed an undefeated Class 2A Greater St. Helens League season on Friday with a win over reigning 2A state champs R.A. Long.
The Eagles went 15-0 in league play for the first time in program history. A narrow 2061-2045 loss to 4A Skyview is the only blemish on Bay’s schedule this season.
The Eagles and top bowler MJ Westmorland will be rolling for district titles on Friday at Fairway Lanes in Centralia.
