The North Kitsap gymnastics team hosted the first Couples Classic at the former Breidablik Elementary in Poulsbo Dec. 15 with the jamboree-style event including Bainbridge, Kingston, Sequim and Port Angeles high schools.

“The Shorewood coach, Susan Riley, has done a Couples Classic for years, and we usually have gone since we are good friends,” NK coach Kristina Goodfellow said. “Since COVID, Kingston has been trying to grow their team, there has been a coaching staff change for Sequim and Bainbridge. I wanted to foster camaraderie among the five teams in this area because we don’t get much recognition.”

At the Couples Classic, each girl was scored by judges in two events of their choice. In addition, they were given an all-around score based on the partner they were matched up with.

For example, a Port Angeles gymnast would earn a score in the bars and vault. Her score would be added to her partner from Bainbridge, who competed in the beam and floor events.

“This will help us get the first step through the door,” Goodfellow said.

In addition, the event was closed to the public so no spectators or parents attended. That decision was made since the gym cannot handle many spectators. Also, it allowed the gymnasts to have a lighthearted competition.

Goodfellow said it was perfect for a majority of the teams since they had huge turnovers on their rosters since last year.

“Port Angeles and Sequim have six seniors out of ten girls,” Goodfellow said. “But the rest of us are freshman heavy who have never competed before. They learned the one-touch, the warmup, how to march in and salute the judges and the etiquette stuff.”

The Kitsap County schools hope to make it a new tradition for high school gymnastics.

“I like to see us do this meeting every year,” Goodfellow said. “If spectators were out of the mix, Bainbridge could host it. I was really happy to see the happiness of the girls and always happy to host a meet where nobody got hurt.”

Bainbridge’s Trinity Flesher performs her floor routine.