Group of Guilderland gymnasts have a run at states
By Jordan J. Michael
LOUDONVILLE After placing second in the Section II meet, the Guilderland gymnastics team sent four athletes to the State Championships at Shaker High School on Saturday.
Alexa Patnaude, Kara Goodknight, Jaclyn Levy, and Kristi Russell were part of a 13-member Section II team that finished seventh out of 10 teams. Guilderland sent four to states, more than any other school in Section II.
“The team finished one place better than last year,” said Guilderland Head Coach Brenda Goodknight. “States are a totally different animal. There are more deductions to scores and my girls are competing against athletes who have full rides to college. Gymnastics are overly serious at the state level.”
Kara Goodknight, the coach’s daughter, competed in the all around event and placed 21st with a score of 33.625. She was the best Guilderland finisher with 14th place on uneven bars.
“Kara was a little nervous but she completed every event,” Coach Goodknight said. “She did what she was supposed to do in all four routines.”
Patnaude had a 7.625 in uneven bars to place 33rd. “She had a fall, but these girls were facing pressure like they have never felt before,” said Coach Goodknight.
Kara Goodknight was 18th on the balance beam with a score of 8.550 and Levy was 31st with a score of 7.300. “Leavy is just an eighth-grader, it’s amazing that she even made states to begin with,” said Coach Goodknight.
Russell was the Lady Dutch representative on floor and she scored an 8.975 for 19th overall. Coach Goodknight told The Enterprise that Russell completed the exact routine that she had in mind. “The judges were really stiff,” she said.
“Section 11 and Section I bring some serious power to states every year,” said Coach Goodknight. “They pretty much dominate everything. Jillian Hudson from Section I scored a 38.125 in all around. That is unheard of in Section II.”
Goodknight told The Enterprise that she is pleased with the second-place finish at sectionals to Saratoga. The team will be familiar next year since only seniors Corinne Chatnik and Corrina Goutos graduating.
“We lost only by two points, we were so close,” she said. “Beating Saratoga is still in our future plans.”