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Newcomer is a Minnetonka champ in gymnastics season to savor

February 19, 2013 at 11:11PM

Destiny Cobbs (Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Destiny Cobbs had a right to be nervous.

After living in Las Vegas for eight years, Cobbs and her family moved to Minnetonka in October to be closer to family. The upheaval was difficult for the high school junior.

"I didn't know what to expect," Cobbs said. "I was extremely nervous about meeting new people."

A gymnast as long as she can remember, Cobbs jumped at the chance to join the Skippers' gymnastics team.

"I was so excited when I found out they had a gymnastics team. I thought that would make it easier to get involved with the school," she said.

It turned out even better than she hoped. Minnetonka had graduated its entire varsity roster from 2012, so Cobbs was just one of many new girls to the team when she started.

With her strong gymnastics background, Cobbs quickly became the Skippers' top performer. She put her skills on display Saturday, taking first place on the balance beam and the uneven bars en route to the all-around championship at the Class 2A, Section 6 meet.

Staff writer Jim Paulsen talked with Cobbs about how gymnastics has helped for an enjoyable transition to Minnesota despite the cold and snow.

Q: From Las Vegas to Minnesota in late October. Winter must have come as a shock to you.

A: It's been kind of difficult. My car has trouble starting sometimes and I'm not used to scraping off all the snow.

Q: How has gymnastics helped you adjust?

A: All the girls on the team have been super nice and friendly and the coaches have been great. Everybody has made me feel so welcome. It's made things easy coming from such a faraway place.

Q: What do you think about high school gymnastics?

A: I'm enjoying it a lot. There is so much more of a team aspect. I like that. And it's been fun to interact with the other teams.

Q: When did you start to feel like you were accepted?

A: It started with our very first meet. We all took the same bus there and we bonded so much. In club gymnastics, it seemed like the only time you came together as a team was in the state meet.

Q: Congratulations on winning the section all-around championship.

A: Thank you. I was extremely happy when I won it. I was so nervous for that meet. I just wanted to go out and work hard and do my best. Winning was just the icing on the cake.

Q: In which event were you the most satisfied?

A: My [balance] beam performance. After I had done my first skill, I knew I was going to hit it. I did it pretty much without a bobble. After my dismount, I knew it was about the best I could have done.

Q: What did you score?

A: A 9.7.

Q: Is that your personal best?

A: Well, I scored a 9.8 once, but I was a Level 5 then and it was fourth grade. So this was my best high school score.

Q: Name one thing about Minnesota you like.

A: I like hanging out with my friends. And me and my brother have played in the snow a couple of times, building snow forts and snowmen.