Warwick Vets senior Candis Kowalik became just the fourth gymnast in Rhode Island Interscholastic League history to earn three all-around state titles, earning her third at Rhode Island College on Feb. 22. 

Kowalik earned titles in her freshman, junior and senior seasons, while missing the state meet in her sophomore season due to an injury.

She went out with a bang in her senior season, setting a new meet record with an overall score of 37.875. Her score barely edged North Kingstown’s Allison Dibiase, who compiled a score of 37.625. 

Kowalik earned fourth in bars and second in floor, but her first-place routines in the vault and the beam were enough to push her into first overall. 

“It feels very good to get the individual title for a third time,” Kowalik said. “There was a lot of pressure coming in. I think it made me feel worse that I had won before. But it just feels amazing to come out on top.”

- Matt Metcalf