Gymnast who cares for cats has determination

Alias and Alibi are a few months apart. They are almost 2. They have little tufts of hair sprouting from their ears and the bottoms of their oversized paws. They look like bobcats but they are cats called Pixie-Bobs. Their owner, Kristen Allen, a fifth-grader and ASB president at Otis Orchards Elementary School, likes to show them off.

“They’re both pretty cats,” she said, “but Alibi is a little too fat, and his tail is too short for showing.” So, while Alibi waited at home, Alias strutted his stuff at the Emerald City Cat Fanciers in Seattle. With the help of Kristen’s grooming skills, Alias has taken home a handful of ribbons. According to legend, Pixie-Bobs are a mix of bobcat and domestic cat, but DNA tests have cast doubt on that theory.

Kristen also helps breeder, Amy Peterson, handle other cats during the shows and plans to continue to do so. She hopes to carry on her love of animals into adulthood and become a veterinarian, cat breeder or trainer.

Alias isn’t the only one in the family to have brought home awards. Motivated and hard working, Kristen has earned trophies in gymnastics.

Agile like a cat, Kristen has been a gymnast for six years and practices 10 to 14 hours a week depending on the season. “I’m a bit of a perfectionist,” she said, “Sometimes I get mad at myself, but I try to have a good attitude.”

She has been competing for four years. She has gone to state three times with her team from Northwest Gymnastics Academy. Two years ago she took second place for Eastern Washington in her age group, and took first place in her level at a meet in Coeur d’Alene. Currently she is in level five and hopes to reach level 10 by the time she is 15.

“She is very focused and disciplined,” said her father, Ken. After she won her last trophy, Kristen said, “I thought about it, I wanted it, and I got it!” Kristen definitely has her eye on the prize.