The Twisters Gymnastics competitive team rounded off its 2022-2023 season in impressive fashion, with a brilliant finish at regional and state competitions.

Competing against the best gymnasts in Region 2 — consisting of gymnastics teams from Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington — the local Twisters athletes came home with personal bests and state and regional placements. 

High school sophomore and Twisters team captain Tessa Richardson, 16, stayed undefeated during the regular season and landed first as Level 8 State Champion for vault, and Regional Champion on vault and floor.

Additionally, Level 7 Twisters gymnast Addyson Reid, 13, came home with a high score of the season, and 14-year-old Arden Moore earned a Level 7 Regionals silver medal on vault. 

Speaking on her and her team’s stellar performances throughout the season, Richardson said, “I could not have been so successful without the love and support from my team.”

Serving as team captain and junior coach for Twisters, Richardson models the role and constantly exudes kindness and encouragement to her “Twisters Sisters,” coaches said.

Considering the Port Hadlock-based gymnastics club’s small size in comparison to the massive gyms across the Pacific Northwest region, the dedication of the athletes and coaches is admirable.

“This team is quite possibly the most decorated team on the Peninsula,” Coach Kelle Riley said, noting that the Twisters gymnasts train 16 hours a week year round, and seven members of the team are straight-A students.

“At Twisters, our list of priorities is family, school, gymnastics,” Riley added.

The local gym’s Level 6 team also had some big-time achievements and personal bests throughout the season. The Level 6 Twisters gymnasts impressed in all-around scoring, with Sophia Borrayo earning an all-around of 35.325, Emma Anderson achieving an all-around 37.0,  and Arianna Beringer with an all-around score of 37.350, which included a 9.85 on the floor exercise.

The compulsory Twisters team also stood out this season as Level 4 gymnast Reilly Goss achieved second all-around at State and Avery Dean posted her personal best at the state meet as well.

The Twisters team came home from State with an astonishing 22 medals.

“Twenty-two medals out of a team of eight is extraordinary,” Riley said. “I am incredibly proud of all of them.”

Moore commented that the friendships she has made at Twisters make the team one-of-a-kind.

“We help each other reach our goals,” Moore said. 

Following a standout year for Twisters, the athletes are already eager to leap back into training during the summer in anticipation for next season, coaches said.