4A gymnastics: Elizabeth’s dynasty continues as Cardinals complete 4A four-peat

THORNTON –  Stacey Folmar has built something special with Elizabeth gymnastics.

Winners of the previous three team state titles, the Cardinals added a fourth consecutive first-place trophy at the Class 4A state championships at Thornton High School on Friday.. For Folmar, the latest victory marked her eighth state title since taking over the program in 2006.

Elizabeth and its six seasoned seniors saved their best performance of the season for when it mattered most as the Cardinals tallied a season-high score of 182.005.

“I’m grateful,” Folmar said. “Gratitude is my biggest emotion right now. It’s super emotional to graduate this group of girls. They’re amazing leaders, amazing gymnasts, amazing students, friends. They’re like my kids. Like I said, I could not be more grateful for the leadership that they’ve brought to the rest of our team, the example they’ve set just and the lessons that they’re teaching.”

Palmer Ridge took runner-up as a team with a score of 177.275 and Niwot placed third (176.525).

The Cardinals cruised with four girls placing in the top 10 all-around: Madison Montoya (third), Bethany Breikss (fourth) and Sydney Kissinger (fifth). Standley Lake’s Tessa Grudle secured the all-around individual title with her score of 37.550.

“I’ve been on the team all four years and if you would have told me freshman year that we would have made it this far, I would have said ‘no way, you’re crazy,’” said Kissinger, who scored a 36.650 all-around. “But I’m not actually that surprised because with the team that I have behind me, all of us have each other’s back and we train all year round together. It’s just a great feeling to know that we finally did it and we’re making history.”

Of course, the Cardinals entered Friday, and likely the entire season, with a target on their backs as the three-time defending champs. Folmar believed it was her team’s hard work, though, that allowed the Cardinals to stay on top for at least another year.

“We were the only team to come in here champions and had that to lose,” Folmar said. “That’s pressure, right? But it’s also confidence, knowing that you can do that and creating that fine mixture of humility and confidence. Our thing was if we put the work in, we can’t be sad; we left no regrets.”

Standley Lake’s Tessa Grudle won the all-around title.

The top 15 finishers in each event will return to Thornton on Saturday for the individual state championships. Competition begins at 1:30 p.m.