Gymnastics -- Bellingham's Sehome Is Big Favorite
A three-team race for second?
That's what it looks like in tomorrow's Class 4A state high-school gymnastics meet at the Tacoma Dome Exhibition Hall.
Auburn, Federal Way and Spokane's Ferris have scored in the low 170s this season. And then there's Sehome of Bellingham, which won its district meet last Saturday with 186.475 points.
"Holy smokes!" Federal Way Coach Bev McIrvin said upon hearing the Mariners' score.
Only four teams qualified for the 4A meet, including Auburn and Federal Way from District 3. That was tough news for non-qualifying teams such as Inglemoor and Columbia River, which scored 180.75 and 177.875 points, respectively, in their district meet.
Federal Way is making its first team appearance at state.
"They want to do as well as they can," McIrvin said of her gymnasts. "At the same time, just going is a big reward, a big treat."
Auburn freshman Adriane Mertens could reap big rewards in the individual competition. She has been the top all-around competitor in the South Puget Sound League all season and won the District 3 title despite a career-best performance by Kentwood senior Lyndsie Palady. Both scored more than 37 points.
But Inglemoor's Courtney Amonsen scored a whopping 38.225 last week, including a 9.725 score in the floor exercise. Sehome's Bridgett Finkbonner, who placed in the top four in three events at last year's state meet, earned an eye-opening 9.8 on the balance beam at district.
Class 3A/2A gym facts
When/Where - Friday, Saturday at Tacoma Dome Exhibition Hall.
Session times - Friday, 4:30 p.m., individual competition; 6:30 p.m., team competition (Newport, Issaquah, Sammamish, Olympia); Saturday, 12:20 p.m., individual finals.
Tickets - Single-session tickets are $6 for adults, $4 for students and seniors; day passes are $10 for adults, $6 for students and seniors; tournament passes are $14 for adults, $8 for students and seniors.
Defending team champion - Newport.
Team favorite - Newport.
Gymnasts to watch - Tricia Chikma, Newport ('98 Class 3A state champion in all-around and beam); Tamara Diles, Newport; Kiki Sugano, Issaquah; Katie Dinsmore, Lakeside (Nine Mile Falls); Julie Kyonaja, Shorewood; Devin McGee, Olympia; Karin Fenn, Newport; Ai Nakayama, Sammamish.
Class 4A gym facts
When/Where - Friday, Saturday at Tacoma Dome Exhibition Hall.
Session times - Friday, 11 a.m., individual competition; 1 p.m., team competition (Sehome, Auburn, Federal Way, Ferris); Saturday, 12:20 p.m., individual finals.
Tickets - Single-session tickets are $6 for adults, $4 for students and seniors; day passes are $10 for adults, $6 for students and seniors; tournament passes are $14 for adults, $8 for students and seniors.
Defending team champion - Sehome.
Team favorite - Sehome.
Gymnasts to watch - Adriane Mertens, Auburn; Courtney Amonsen, Inglemoor; Bridgett Finkbonner, Sehome; Lyndsie Palady, Kentwood; Karissa Moreland, Hudson's Bay; Gail Larsen, Ferris; Emily Roberts, Central Valley.