DEBORAH CORRAO / L’Observateur / August 11, 1999

LAPLACE – Two River Parishes acrobatic gymnasts took home gold medals at the United States Sports Acrobatics National Compet-itions held in Phoenix the last week of July.

Carley Faucheux, 7, of Luling, and her partner, Nicole Barrilleaux, 10, of Metairie, took first place in the Class Four Women’s Pairs 10-and-under division.

Whitney Watts, 11, of Destrehan, and her partner, Courtney Hartsell, 8, of Marrero, took first in Class Four Women’s Pairs, 11-13.

Faucheux and Barrilleaux scored a 9.333 in competition, the highest scoreof all Class Four competitors from around the United States.

Acrobatic gymnastics, which involves intricate lifts, aerial and tumbling skills in a choreographed floor routine, got its start in Russia, becoming popular in the United States in 1970 with the immigration of Russian coaches to America.

Faucheux and Watts represented Elmwood Gymnastics Academy at the national competition. They are coached and choreographed by Raisa Galper.

Return To Sports Stories

Copyright © 1998, Wick Communications, Inc.

Internet services provided by NeoSoft.

Best viewed with 3.0 or higher