By Gerardo Bolong
SPORTS CORRESPONDENT

TACOMA - Mount Rainier bettered its 165.3 West Central/Greater Spokane bi-district qualifying score in a 165.75 fourth place team finish at the 2015 WIAA 4A state gymnastics championship meet on Fri., Feb. 20, at the Tacoma Dome Exhibition Center.

KingCo powerhouse Woodinville posted 184.225 points to defend its title ahead of Emerald Ridge (171.4), Mead (171.2) and Mt. Rainier.

"We knew it was possible," said Ram assistant coach Reid Sundblad. "I'm so proud. They've come a long way. It'll be fun, tomorrow."

The fun for tomorrow referred to the state individual event finals.

Senior Ava Welch scored 36.1 in an eighth-place all-around performance while qualifying for individual event finals with a tie for fourth place at 9.55 on the vault and a tie for fifth place on the uneven parallel bars (9.125).

"I'm proud of all our team," said Welch. "I'm looking forward to the finals."

Hailey Sagmoen was pleased with the competition, as well.

"It was my first time at state," she said. "I enjoyed the floor (9.175 tie for 15th) and had my best routine, ever, on the bars (7.5)."

Regan Hunt tied for 17th with an 8.475 on the bars as part of Mt. Rainier's team accumulation.

Senior Jenna Schlosser of Mead captured this year's all-around with a 38.1 score while winning the vault with a 9.45. Woodinville's Marisa Savage captured gold on the vault (9.7), beam (9.5) and tied with Tia Thomas of Federal Way for first on the floor at 9.6.

Mt. Rainier gymnastics team members are Casey Bauer (10), Breanna Dunn (10), Sonya Harkness (11), Haley Hendrick (12), Regan Hunt (11), Tori Kent (12), Judy Lemke (12), Marchel (11), Monica Nobbay (12), Bayleigh Nolan (11), Megan Reissig (12), Hailey Sagmoen (12) and Ava Welch (12).

Ali Kestle is the head coach assisted by Reid Sundblad.