East County has been a powerhouse in girls gymnastics since the inception of the San Diego Section.
In fact, Santana High School won the first five CIF team championships from 1974-78 and has built up a legacy in the sport with 30 consecutive league finals championships titles and 14 CIF titles.
Santana’s Sherry Rice won back-to-back CIF gymnast of the year awards in 1975-76 as the section’s first superstar.
Granite Hills High School won the 1997 CIF team championship, followed by West Hills High School in 1998 and 1999.
Making the grade
Gymnastics is best showcased in the quadrennial Summer Olympic Games and traditionally draws large television ratings. It is often the first exposure for many to the sport, and a huge recruiting tool, much the same for sports like swimming and diving.
Events used in high school gymnastics include vault, uneven bars, balance beam and floor exercise. Athletes can compete in the all-around (all four events) or specialize in an event.
Scores are based on how well a gymnast performs the skills in the particular routine.
In compulsory programs every student-athlete must perform the exact same routine and are scored on how well they execute the required skills.
Optional programs are built around the individual strengths of a gymnast. Each gymnast has their own music and choreography for the floor exercise, for instance, and the routine is designed to display performance skills as well as entertain.
A strong work ethic and a commitment to the sport, as well as to the team, are byproducts of a strong gymnastics foundation.
A number of senior student-athletes were duly recognized by their coaches this past season.
Santana’s lone senior this season was Lexi Caraveo, a compulsory gymnast who has been on varsity for four years, including two years as team captain.
Awards include the Santana athletic standout for gymnastics and the Santana Grossmont Union High School District sportsmanship recipient.
“She is an all-league gymnast and CIF qualifier,” Santana coach Sam Spenny said. “She started her season strong placing first on almost all of her events, winning the all-around. She is deeply humble and kind and would have been a contender to take it all. This was her year. She will be deeply missed.”
Three decorated seniors off this spring’s El Capitan High School team included Risa Lindamood, Alexi Riingen and Bailey Collins.
Lindamood has participated in the sport for three years while also becoming involved at the school in cheerleading, AP and honors classes, AVID, VCrew, Really Loud Gold Crowd, ASB and other leadership opportunities on campus.
Her proudest moments include becoming gymnastics team captain, receiving an AVID scholarship, being selected as the El Capitan leadership representative at a conference in Idyllwild, being elected as commissioner of social media and publicity, being a four-year honor roll student and graduating with honors.
She plans on attending Cal State San Marcos while majoring in business marketing.
Riingen is a four-year gymnastics participant. She has also participated in the school’s dance company.
Her proudest moment was becoming one of the officers for the advanced dance company.
Future plans include attending Grossmont College and pursuing a career in culinary arts.
Collins has participated in gymnastics for three years. Her other school activities include cheer, ASB, VCrew, Really Loud Gold Crowd and fashion club.
Her proudest moment was being a part of homecoming court and being elected ASB president.
Collins plans to attend Grossmont College, then transfer to San Diego Christian College to pursue a career in teaching.
Two deserving seniors from Granite Hills High School’s gymnastics team this spring included Cierra Woods and Penelope Wilson, both three-year participants and team captains.
Woods said her proudest moment was “making varsity and getting my front handspring on vault.”
Her future plans are to attend Cuyamaca College.
Wilson, who has earned first team all-league recognition in the sport, intends to attend San Diego State University as a psychology major on a pre-med track.
