Seven young gymnasts from Redwood Coast Gymnastics are poised to compete at the Xcel Gold State Championships in Rancho Cordova this weekend, capping a successful stretch of competitions for the Humboldt County-based team. The athletes will be aiming to achieve a score of 36 in the all-around competition to qualify for the regional championships in Salt Lake City in April. This push comes on the heels of strong performances at recent state-level meets, marking a significant period of growth for the program.
Redwood Coast Gymnastics, which trains at Flips 4 Kids, has seen a surge in success since adopting the “Xcel” competitive structure, an alternative to traditional USA Gymnastics with slightly different rules. This new designation has allowed a wider range of athletes to participate and excel, according to head coach Brian Van Pelt. The team’s recent achievements highlight the dedication of its gymnasts and the effectiveness of the coaching staff.
The Xcel Silver team recently concluded its season with impressive results at the Norcal State Championships in Fairfield on March 15. Abby Clair and Annika Dieker both secured gold medals in vault, with scores of 9.45 and 9.425 respectively. Cara West finished fourth in the same event with a score of 9.0. These performances underscored the team’s strength and consistency. Dieker also set a new Xcel Silver team record in the all-around competition with a score of 36.95, finishing just off the podium in fourth place.
Beyond the team successes, individual gymnasts have also been making waves. Momo Baxter qualified for regionals after competing at the Level 6 State Championships in Visalia last weekend. Baxter’s qualification represents a significant milestone, as regional competitions include gymnasts from California, Arizona, Nevada, and Utah, according to the USA Gymnastics regional qualification guidelines. USA Gymnastics details the Xcel program requirements and competition structure on its website.
New Skills and Team Records
The team’s progress isn’t solely measured in medals. Laura Barkdull, a member of the Xcel Silver team, successfully completed a kip mount during the Fairfield competition – a challenging skill attempted by only a handful of gymnasts at that level. This demonstrates a commitment to pushing boundaries and mastering difficult techniques. Zoey Long also set a new team record on floor exercise for Xcel Silver, scoring a 9.45.
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From left to right are gymnasts Laura Barkdull, Cara West, Annika Dieker, and Zoey Long. (RCG Booster Club — Contributed)
Looking Ahead to Rancho Cordova
This weekend’s competition in Rancho Cordova will be a crucial test for the Xcel Gold team. Addie Bellermann, Jesse Bestul, Aubrey Dalton, Maya Dalton, Hannah Naylor, Myiah Punch, and Kaile’a Townsend will represent Redwood Coast Gymnastics, hoping to secure qualifying scores for the regional championships. Coach Van Pelt expressed optimism, noting that several athletes have already achieved the necessary all-around score of 36 during the season. “They will need to get a 36 in the all-around and they will qualify for the regionals in Salt Lake City in April,” Van Pelt said. “Several Gold competitors have achieved that mark in the season to date, so there is the chance a couple of competitors make it dependent on the judges scores and the girls’ performances.”
Myiah Punch has already demonstrated her potential, capturing gold medals on uneven bars (9.275) and floor exercise (9.425) at the Novato Classic in February. Abigail Clair also achieved a personal best at the Novato Classic, winning gold on floor exercise with a score of 9.40. Team USA’s gymnastics page provides information on the broader competitive landscape and qualifying procedures.
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Abigail Clair won first place in vault. (RCG Booster Club — Contributed)
A Growing Program
Van Pelt emphasized the importance of regional qualification, stating, “We usually get to state championships without too much trouble, bringing them home is a little more rare, as you can imagine. But getting to regionals is more laudable.” The team’s recent success reflects a growing program and a dedicated group of athletes. The Xcel Silver team will now focus on skill development during the offseason, preparing for the fall 2026 season.
The results from the Xcel Gold State Championships in Rancho Cordova will be available following the competition’s conclusion on Sunday. The qualifying gymnasts will then prepare for the regional championships in Salt Lake City in April. Follow Redwood Coast Gymnastics for updates on their progress and continued success.
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