Solid scores stimulated superb scoring for Todd beamer last Wednesday.

Guided by a sturdy performance from sophomore Kaylyn Borden, the Titans outlasted a trio of teams to snare a South Puget Sound League gymnastics victory at home.

Beamer's 158.4 total outdistanced Federal Way (150.6), Kentridge (146.95), and Tahoma (136.75).

Seeking to improve upon last season's 9-9 seventh-place regular season finish, the Titans showed promise of good fortune in their future.

"I'm proud of them," said first-year Beamer head coach Hessica Eisenberg.

"This is one of the best teams I've coached in high school. They really help each other. I see them going a long way. They've improved 10 points since the first meet."

Eisenberg brings a strong background as a gymnast and coach to the Titan helm and has returning state all-around qualifier Borden as the major motor in the Todd Beamer drive for excellence.

On Wednesday, Borden dominated the competition en route to first place on the balance beam (8.8), uneven parallel bars (8.1), and floor exercise (9.4).

Adding a second-place 9.0 on the vault, the sophomore sensation cemented a first-place total of 35.3 in the all-around.

"I'm feeling good," said Borden. "Our team has the best sportsmanship and we keep each other pumped up as a group. The goal as a team is to go to state."

Dancing to the techno-music of Omega, the Titan athlete used a roundoff, back handspring, and a layout full early in her routine to ignite the rest of her showcase effort.

Beamer teammate freshman Laura Schrader totaled 8.6 on the vault, 8.3 on the beam, and 9.0 on the floor for individual event fourth-place results while recording 32.8 to capture fifth place in the all-around to augment Borden's top-flight spot.

For the youthful Titans, other all-around participants are sophomores Christina Bergeson and Karissa McMillan along with senior Nikki Metzler. Competing strongly as seniors are Karli Tinsley and Kassy McCoy, Emily Burns and Robin Middleton comprise the juniors.

Executing their abilities at various individual events are sophomores Brittany West, Jessica Tinsley, Jenna Bishop, Nancy Kim, Brianne Kay, Cortney Lane, and Victoria Bianchi.

Ninth graders are Christina Bradley, Briana Hendricks, Sam Mulroy, Jackie Erickson, Lexi Boring, CeCe Yun, Nicole Kay, Jessa Coleman, Andrea Schneider, Brittany Gerlach, Zara Suarez, Dayah Chrisman, Gloria Cho, Ashley Montgomery, Stephanie Perkins, Larissa Menjares, Taylor Daniels, and Christina Walker.

Federal Way soared to new heights of its own in the still young season.

"We did so well tonight," said Eagel head coach Bev McIrvin of her young squad. "They're like diamonds in the rough. Under pressure, they start to shine."

Heather Penor strongly illuminated the gymnasium with second-place scores of 9.3 on the floor and 7.9 on the bars. Coupled with a 8.8 third-place vault score and a 7.7 beam, Penor's aggregate total of 33.7 earned second place in the all-around.

"It was fun. I just tried not to fall on the bars," she stated.

Another shining moment for Federal Way was created by Ashley Storrs, who swung to a 7.5 fifth-place on bars.

Marked as a team to watch, the Eagles' composition and expected development were explained by long-time Federal Way assistant coach and local gym owner David Mackey.

"They're learning so fast," he said. "Many of them are young in experience.

The upperclassmen are doing so much to help the underclassmen and some kids are surprising us. Their desire to learn more and do bigger skills is strong. Their basic understanding and learning strategies are there. I'd expect to see the scores to go up considerably."

Key returners from last year's 16-4 fourth-place team are Penor, Storrs, and Melissa Atkinson on the all-arounds. Also back are Stephanie Jarstad (vault, beam), Samantha Buchanan (bars), and Michelle Ha (beam, floor).

Adding further strength are newcomers Alisha Bowen, Olivia Hernandez, Kathryn Shimer, and Kyna Brewer.