The Comet Skippers returned from Galveston on Tuesday, June 30th, 2009, after participating in the 2009 USAJR National Championships. The Comet Skippers are a competitive Jump Rope Team and Mason City School Student Activity and completed their 5th year of competition.
This year's Nationals contingent includes 49 jumpers, both students and adult parents, along with a group of chaperones and supporters. Jumpers qualified to compete at the USAJR Nationals via a series of Regional Qualifying Tournaments. The Comet Skippers had another successful tournament with many truly outstanding performances. The following are just a few of the highlights of our young jumpers and their parents who compete in the Masters Division:
* The Comet Skippers tied for Third Place in All Around Team Champions (up from Fourth last year) out of 73 teams.
* The Small Group Team Show placed First as Grand National Champions and Gold Medalists.
* The Large Group Team Show placed Third (Bronze medal).
* Jeress Pendleton came in second in individual freestyle at Grand National’s (the top 12 freestyle scores competing again at Grand Nationals on Sunday) getting edged out of first by .1 of a point.
* Jerress Pendleton also won the Bronze Medal for Male Triple Unders.
* Stephen Simpson, Frieda Mueller, Lynn Lipps & Jeress Pendleton placed second at Grand Nationals in Double Dutch Pairs Freestyle.
* Frieda Mueller made Grand Nationals in Single Rope Speed, placing 5th.
* Stephen, Frieda, Teddy & Jeress competed in Single Rope Speed Relay at Grand Nationals placing fifth.
* Ridge Robson won the Gold Medal in Male Single Rope Freestyle, 10 & under.
* Frieda Mueller won the Bronze Medal in Female Single Rope Speed.
* Brittany Astles, Christina Dulovich, Lindsay Thomas & Olivia Gaus won the Bronze Medal in Single Rope Speed Relay.
* Stephen Simpson won the Bronze Medal in Male Three Minute Speed.
* Stephen Simpson, Frieda Mueller, Jeress Pendleton & Lynn Lipps won the Silver Medal in Double Dutch Pairs Freestyle.
* Bryon Zambello won Grand National Champion (Masters Division) for the third year in a row.
* Bryon Zambello won the Gold Medal in Male Single Rope Speed – Masters Division.
* Bryon Zambello, John Robson, Jim Davis & Rene Nix won the Gold Medal in Single Rope Speed Relay – Masters Division.
* Bryon Zambello won the Silver medal in Male Three Minute Speed – Masters Division.
* Jim Davis won the Bronze Medal in Male Three Minute Speed – Masters Division.
* Bryon Zambello & Jim Davis won the Gold Medal in Single Rope Pairs Freestyle – Masters Division.
Keep an eye out for your local TV listings. In the past the USAJR National Tournament has been shown on ESPN or FOX Sports via a special 30 minute program. The Mason Comet Skippers Booster organization, via funds raised throughout the year, provided a charter bus in which the team traveled to the event, along with providing the jumpers hotel rooms. Many thanks to all the Comet Skipper parents who helped chaperone, judge, coach, procure lunches, braid hair etc. This was truly a collaborative effort!! The coaching staff received many positive comments about the kids, their neatness and polite behavior as well as their performance on the floor.
One final note. Coach Carmen Simpson was awarded the Nancy Bell Award by USA Jump Rope. This award is given for selfless dedication and contribution to the sport over a long period of time. No one deserves it more than her!!!!!
