Ridgefield gymnastics head coach Richard Samuels earned multiple honors during the state championships on Friday, Feb. 21, with the biggest being his induction into the Washington State Gymnastics Coaches Hall of Fame.
Samuels was first introduced to gymnastics by his middle school coach in New York. Samuels was a member of the Springfield College men’s gymnastics team from 1973 to 1977 where he was co-captain of the 1977 NCAA Division ll National Championship team. He was a two-time
All-American and fourth overall at the 1977 NCAA Division II Championships, the hall of fame stated.
Samuels first stepped into coaching high school gymnastics as a head coach of the Fort Vancouver Trappers with a co-op program including athletes from the Ridgefield School District from 2003 to 2013. During this time, he was able to grow the program and have district champions, state qualifiers and state finalists. For the 2014 season, he left Fort Vancouver and became the first and only coach of the newly added varsity sport of gymnastics at Ridgefield High School, the hall of fame stated.
As head coach, he has taken athletes to the state meet all but one of his 20-plus years of coaching.
“Richard is a pillar in the gymnastics community in Vancouver and throughout the state,” the Washington State Gymnastics Coaches Hall of Fame stated. “His years of dedication and involvement makes him a perfect addition to the WSGCA Hall of Fame.”
On Saturday, Feb. 22, Ridgefield gymnasts Lexi Voudikis and Evie Dreiling earned podium spots in their specialty events. Voudikis earned the state title with her bar routine while Dreiling earned third place in the floor event.
