Gilroy’s Louisa Mantilla wasted no time bringing home some hardware.
The Level 7 gymnast took gold in three events and bronze in another at the Winter Invitational Feb. 7 at San Mateo Gymnastics. Her sister Marcela Mantilla, also a Level 7 gymnast in a younger age bracket, took silver in one of her events.
This is the first season of optional competition for both sisters who compete with USA Sports with facilities in Gilroy and Hollister.
Louisa took gold in the all-around with a score of 35.325 and on the uneven bars, scoring an 8.575. She also finished first on the balance beam with an 8.95. Louisa finished her day with a bronze finish on the vault, tallying an 8.85.
Marcela took second on the uneven bars with a score of 8.925.
“I couldn’t be prouder of these girls,” USA Sports Optionals Coach Danielle Bunel said. “…the Mantilla sisters are just getting started at this level. I expect big things out of them.”
Teammate Colette Yamaoka of Hollister also took home a gold and two silvers at the same meet. The Level 9 gymnast placed first in the vault with a score of 9.35 and second in the all-around (34.55) and floor exercise (9.15).
Yamaoka opened her season with four first place finishes at the Red Heart Invitational on Feb. 1 at Bay Aerials Gymnastics in Fremont. She won the all-around with a score of 36.525, the vault and the uneven bars scoring a 9.2 in both and the floor exercise with a 9.225. She also took second in the balance beam with an 8.9.
The team will next compete at the Cactus Cooler tournament Feb. 21 in Las Vegas.
