South Puget Sound League gymnastic teams met at a four-way meet on Wednesday, January 12, at Mount Rainier High School with the host Rams continuing their steady ascent towards district.
Thomas Jefferson scored an impressive 168.15 points to clear away from Mount Rainier (156.8), Decatur (154.7) and Kentridge (144.8).
Madi Kellar won the all-around title with a score of 36.3 points for Jefferson to pace all performers.
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. She also took the top spot on the floor exercise (9.35) Monica Church won the vault with a 9.1.
For Mount Rainier, a strong second place behind last season's Class 4A state fourth place team Raiders showcased the steady progress the Rams are making.
Last season's ninth place Class 3A/2A state placer in the all-arounds Kerrie Heckel led the home-standing Rams with a fourth place all-around score of 34.45. Teammate Nikki Ginnett earned a fifth-place all-around tie with 32.35 points.
Competing in Class 4A has been a real motivator for sophomore Heckel.
"I really like the competition because it's pushing us to higher levels," she explained. "I've added an extra tumbling pass on my floor routine."
Teammate Ginnett scored 8.35 on the vault for sixth place while adding a 7.2 seventh place tie on the uneven parallel bars. The Ram gymnast balanced to seventh place 7.7 on the beam and concluded her excellent exploits by bounding to a 9.1 sixth place on the floor exercise.
Ginnett was also energetically enthusiastic about the season thus far.
"We're really getting comfortable," she observed. "Overall, our team is getting better day by day. We started the season (at a level) where we usually end the season. From this higher starting level, we've kept improving and we're really having fun."
Besides the aforementioned athletes, Emily Dadalto, Marissa Ginnett, Symantha Murray, Thao Nguyen, Brianna Stoutenburgh, Natalie Welch and Kate Young were part of the competitive roster.
After years of being a Seamount League, district and state contender - including last season's Class 3A/2A state team placing - Mount Rainier seeks to make its name in Class 4A.
"This was our best meet so far (this season)," said Ram head coach Ali Kestle. "We're improving every week and working hard. Our goal is to continue moving on and be a contender for district."
