DES MOINES - South Puget Sound League gymnastic teams met at a four-way intersection on Wednesday, Jan. 12, at Mount Rainier High School with a pair of Federal Way School District squads recording high achievements.

Thomas Jefferson earned the right of way and continued the 2010-2011 season unblemished (15-0) by scoring an impressive 168.15 points in a clear separation from Mount Rainier (156.8), Decatur (154.7) and Kentridge (144.8). Accumulated team scores by each specific event favored the athletic Raiders.

Junior Raider Madi Kellar, who finished fifth in last season's Class 4A state all-around (36.525) while also earning fourth on the floor exercise (9,55) and fifth on the bars (8.75), maintained her current season's high standards by winning this meet's all-around title with a tally of 36.3.

Kellar's performance included a trio of individual event victories. The Raider athlete captured the uneven parallel bars at 8.9 and the balance beam with a 9.1. On the floor exercise, she danced to a 9.45. On the vault, Kellar notched an 8.85 second place.

"Everything has been going well," she said. "It just feels good to compete. I've added some new skills like a Yurchenko layout tonight."

During the first part of the season, Kellar has been strongly impressive, recording a 36.9 all-around on Dec. 10 plus winning three individual events.

Also strongly supporting her Raider squad were state veterans and sisters Monica and Shelby Church.

Monica captured second place in all-arounds with a score of 34.85 as Shelby took third at 34.6.

For Monica Church, her 9.1 first place on the vault keyed her efforts. She added second place on the bars (8.4), third place on the floor (9.25) and fourth place on the beam (8.1).

"My highlight was definitely the vault," said Church. "It was a good meet."

Shelby Church earned her share of points on individual events. Her finishes were a tie for second on the beam (9.0), third place on the bars (8.0) and a tie for fourth on the floor (9.2).

In other top TJ achievements, KayLynne Fuller captured seventh place in all-arounds (30.9) including a sixth place 7.85 on the beam. Kelsey Barrett was in a fifth place tie on the bars (7.35).

Thomas Jefferson completed its first-ever league unbeaten season at 17-0 last year while capturing the South Puget Sound League North championship. The Raiders completed their season by finishing fourth in the team standings at the state meet held in the Tacoma Dome Exhibition Center.

Jefferson returned nearly everybody from that squad, although fielding a completely healthy squad has been a challenge, thus far.

"We have not been able to have everybody together at one time and we stiil may not," said long-time Raider head coach Debbie Hunter. "Although they're young, they are pretty experienced in competition. They're good competitors and have already been learning how to handle adversity. They know what needs to be done and understand that it's a long season. I'm really proud about how someone always steps up when needed. Our focus is to work hard and enjoy our season."

Decatur has good reasons to be pleased about this season and seasons to come.

"We have an outstanding group of freshmen and we're still moving along," said Gator head coach Patty Braun. "Our goal is to keep adjusting and getting our routines geared up for more scoring potential."

Joining holdover athletes Tori Braun, Karissa Kolman, Holly Phan, Makayla Quam and Tory Zellerhoff are Anna Paradee, Shawntel Bali and Allison Sherwin.

On this January evening, Paradee shined for the Gators, tieing for fifth in the all-around with a point total of 32.35. Individual events for Paradee featured a third place vault of 8.5 and a fifth-place tie on the bars (7.35).

"As a new freshman, I feel good about being welcomed," observed Bali. "It's about being confident with a positive attitude, even when I fall. I just get up and do better."

On the same night, last season's second place team state finisher Todd Beamer also stayed unbeaten (13-0) after dominating a four-team home meet. The Titans closed with 163.95 points to down Rogers of Puyallup (147.75), Kentwood (145.8) and Tahoma (132.25).

Sam West, who earned second place in last year's Class 4A state all-around, claimed the gold in the all-around at 36.15. West also grabbed first place on the uneven parallel bars (8.7) and the floor exercise (9.35) while closing with second on the vault (9.25).

Teammate Cassie Peterson finished runnerup in the all-around at 35.55 points. Peterson also earned second place finishes on the bars (8.0), balance beam (9.15) and floor (9.2) while taking third on the vault (9.2).

Beamer's Kasey Johnson was second on the bars (8.0), third on the beam (8.95) and third on the floor (8.85).