Cristini signs to compete at Davis & Elkins
On Monday, Ridgway High School senior Celeste Cristini signed her letter of intent to join the Acrobatics and Tumbling team at Davis & Elkins College in West Virginia.
The daughter of Nicole Crisitini and Brian Cristini is a current member of the Ridgway/Johnsonburg gymnastics team and Elker cheer squad. She recently wrapped up her competitive cheer career with the co-op team based in Johnsonburg.
According to Crisitini, who will be studying criminology, Davis & Elkins coach, Kimberlee Adkins, reached out to her via Instagram.
"She set up an official visit for me, and I verbally committed when I was down there, and it's official today. Kimberlee seems like a fun, good coach, and I'm excited to work with her."
The Senators open their NCAA Division II schedule on Sunday at Fairmont State University.
"It's a great day, and I'm very excited for her," said mom Nicole at Monday's signing in the RAHS library. "She's accomplished a lot, and I'm very proud of her. She's been climbing and jumping since she was five (laugh) - even on the baseball field. I can't wait to see her compete. I think it's fantastic and a good opportunity for her."
Nicole Cristini, who was complimentary of Adkins and Davis & Elkin dean Kate Garlick, feels her daughter will "fit in well" in the small community vibe at the West Virginia college.
"I'm very proud. It's something I would have loved to do (laugh), but I was never that good," Brian Cristini said. "Seriously though, the Ridgway school has been very supportive of everything she does. She loves cheerleading and loves to tumble, so I'm happy Davis & Elkins recruited her so hard, and we're all happy she'll be going down there. We're already making plans to go see her compete."
Cristini smiled when reflecting on her high school coaches. Among them are sideline cheer coach Anna Rougeaux, Katie Gerber for gymnastics, and Tara Porter for competitive cheer.
"I love them all to death. They've all been very open to me trying new things and always encouraged me, which means a lot."
Rougeaux was at Monday's signing.
"This is very special, and Celeste 100 percent deserves this. She's very dedicated and works hard. Celeste is a great leader who always knows what she's doing. I'm very proud of her." As for her major? "I knew since the third grade I wanted to go into something crime-wise, like forensic science, criminology, or whatever. It started with watching NCIS and spiraled from there," the senior said with a smile.
Cristini, whose brother Nick is a sophomore at RAHS and brother Aiden a 2022 graduate, is looking forward to her time at the Elkins, West Virginia college.
"It feels a lot like Ridgway. It's a small community with a small campus. I'm so happy they reached out to me, and I'm excited to be a part of their growing program."
Cristini and Jaidyn Hodgdon will be recognized this evening when the co-op gymnastics team hosts DuBois for Senior Recognition. The meet starts at 6 p.m. at FSG Elementary School.