Caleigh Lofstead swings on the bars for the Papermakers at the state gymnastics meet Friday, in the Tacoma Dome. The CHS junior earned a 10.0 start value for the first time this season, and finished with a score of 8.25.
(Dan Trujillo/Post-Record)Caleigh Lofstead’s third high school state gymnastics meet was short, but sweet.
The Camas High School junior earned her first 10.0 starting value on the uneven bars this season Friday, at the Tacoma Dome. She put together one of her best routines and was rewarded with a score of 8.25.
Lofstead finished in 21st place on the bars. It was not high enough for her to qualify for Saturday’s championship session, but it was still memorable nonetheless.
“I haven’t gotten into the 8’s for a while. It’s nice to see all my hard work pay off,” Lofstead said. “Every year, I’ve been able to make it here in at least one event. It’s cool to be able to see all of the best gymnasts in the state and to be able to compete with them.”
Lofstead’s next goal is to leap over bars set at 13 feet off the ground with a pole in her hands. After placing third in the pole vault at state, the Papermaker has been to indoor competitions in Washington, Oregon and Navada. She’s improved her personal best mark to 12 feet, 6 inches, which is nine inches higher than she reached at state.
“They say gymnasts make the best pole vaulters,” Lofstead said. “I just want to continue to improve and see how high I can jump.”
