BY GERARDO BOLONG
Contributing Writer

Work. Work. Work.

Since preseason and throughout the regular SPSL season, the Mount Rainier gymnastics team toiled and trained diligently to improve itself with the ultimate goal of reaching the state meet.

Mount Rainier's work ethic became fruitful with a sweet Valentine's Day, Saturday morning, Feb. 14, gift in the form of a third place as the final team qualifying to the state meet with a score of 165.3 at the 4A West Central District III/Greater Spokane state qualifying gymnastics meet held at Mount Rainier High School.
Mead, led by all-around champion Jenna Schlosser ( 37.3 ) won the team title at 172.35 followed by Emerald Ridge of Puyallup (166.025). Schlosser took gold on the bars with a 9.45.

Head Ram coach Ali Kestle was pleasantly surprised and delighted with the result.

"We had a great floor (44.8 which ranked just behind the top two state qualifying teams)," she said in super hoarse voice . "I'm a little surprised. I'm glad we got the floor early (as the second event). The girls were a little nervous on the beam (our first event). We knew it was tight and thought there were some teams ahead of us (for third place). "It's breathtaking and so exciting."

The Rams edged out Olympia (164.925) and Kentlake (164.425) to earn their placing.

"It was just incredible," added Mount Rainier assistant coach Reid Sundblad. "I couldn't have asked for more from them. It's almost disbelief."

Senior Ava Welch took the silver medal in the AA with a score of 36.55.

In her accumulated score resume were a pair of second places. She hit the vault running for 9.4 to trail only Makayla Waggoner of Olympia (9.625) and stuck her beam for 9.15 which was behind only Central Valley's McKinzie Carter (9.25). Adding fifth place spots on the floor (9.25) and bars (8.75) to the runner up individual event finishes, she was only .75 out of the top all-around spot.

"Our team cheered so hard tonight, boosting us up and worked really hard in practice," said Welch. "It was exciting. We knew we had to knock out a couple of teams, but we had a lot of energy. We haven't gone to state since I was a freshman, so it's been awhile."

Sonya Harkness scored 9.125 for 18th place on the beam and expressed her joy.

"I'm really happy," she said. "It was great gymnastics meet. We're on a roll."

In the view of Hailey Sagmoen, a seventh place finisher on vault at 9.225, the magic moments were remarkable.

"I was really surprised with my floor," she recalled. "I'm excited and proud of our team. It was our best on vaults. Our team has worked really hard."

Mount Rainier competitors in the bi-district meet were Sonya Harkness, Haley Hendrick, Regan Hunt, Judy Lemke, Emily Marchel, Bayleigh Nolan, Megan Reissing, Hailey Sagmoen and Ava Welch.

WIAA state gymnastics championships will be held in the Tacoma Dome Exhibition Hall on Feb. 20-21. The first day will feature team and all-around championships. Qualifiers for state individual medals will compete the next morning.