In the tightening throes of really rugged competition, Federal Way district high schools emerged with excellence on Saturday, February 10, at the Class 4A West Central District III/Southwest bi-district gymnastics meet held at Federal Way High School.

Puyallup High claimed the championship with 165.75 points to separate itself from WCD's other state qualifying team. Rogers of Puyallup scored 162.8 for the runner-up position.

With the statewide reclassification, there are now more Class 3A schools with gymnastics programs than Class 4A schools, thus whittling down the number of teams and individuals allocated for the state championships held Feb. 16-17 at the Tacoma Dome Exhibition Hall.

Completing the top three schools was Emerald Ridge, paced by all-around champion Brianna Howe's total of 36.725 points.

Even with the absence of one of its top athletes, Chelsi Freeborn, due to a torn rotator cuff suffered in the last regular season meet, the Todd Beamer Titans scored 158.5 points to finish fourth.

"I'm proud of our team," said Jessica Eisenberg, who coaches the Titans with Gina Mason. "They did all they could. They threw in those harder skills because they wanted to. I'm pretty excited."

Leaping and dancing to a 9.325 score on the floor excercise, Titan junior Kaylyn Borden finished in a tie for sixth to gain an automatic state listing while swinging to state on the bars as an additional qualifier. Borden gained another qualifying spot on the balance beam.

"I'm glad I'm back," said Borden. "That's the major thing. I haven't done it (the floor) most of the year. I've really enjoyed watching others increase and come to a level that is competitive."

Under the current state formula, the top seven, including ties, who did not qualify with a team or in all-around competition advanced to state.

Stunting well on the beam, Beamer's Katie Peterson earned a seventh place 8.825 to qualify for the state meet.

"I'm glad we made it," exulted Peterson. "I knew it was there. It was great, because I'm just coming back from sickness and injuries."

Surviving an emotional weekend, Titan gymnast Laura Schrader qualified as an individual on the floor and Karissa McMilian earned a vault entry to complete the Beamer state contingent.

Thomas Jefferson secured 156.65 points for sixth place in the team standings.

The team secured the South Puget Sound League sportsmanship award as head coach Debbie Hunter was voted SPSL coach of the year.

"I'm really happy," said Hunter. "I've got some great assistant coaches (Laura Rosa and Dusty Lybbert)."

Also making Hunter happy were state-qualifying Raider gymnasts.

Nicora Long tied for sixth on the floor with 9.325 and was an additional state entry on the vault.

"My floor and vault were good," she stated. "I'm really glad I qualified."

Also feeling good after qualifying on the beam was TJ's Jennifer McCreery.

"It was a good meet," she reflected. "I'm surprised by my score (8.575 for 10th place before the qualifying formula was applied). I felt like I really had good performances. I'm proud of my floor routine, even though I didn't make state on it."

Coming in with a ninth place score in the field of 16 with 150.5, Federal Way flew to the task with energetic enthusiasm.

"On the whole, most everybody had a personal best," Eagle assistant coach Dave Mackey observed. "What we were just saying to the team was 'the best with no regrets'. We peaked at the right moment."

Heather Penor balanced to state as an individual on the beam and captured an additional qualifier event on the floor.

"I'm really happy to make it on the beam," she concluded. "My back handspring and sticking it with a hurt leg was the most important part."

Chailee Friant of Kentlake grabbed gold on the bars (9.175) and floor (9.6). Alexis Whitt of Puyallup captured first on the vault at 9.375 while Rowe took the beam with 9.4.