While some defending state champions focus on how many trophies they can accumulate, Auburn’s Ali Tate is contemplating her future in the sport.

Tate, a junior, could contend for the title in each of the next two seasons, but she is not sure whether she will return to the sport after the Class 4A state gymnastics championships Feb. 16-18 at the Tacoma Dome Exhibition Hall.

She said that mostly stems from the injuries she has sustained in the sport. When she won the 3A title last year in the all-around with a total of 37.225, Tate said she had stress fractures in both of her legs and wore a back brace. To reduce the strain on her body, Tate said she left her club team.

“The injuries that kept coming with it were hurting too bad,” she said, adding that the stress fractures have healed. “I couldn’t do it anymore.”

While Tate remains undecided on her future, Auburn coach Kristie Wilson has no doubt where she will be next winter.

“She’ll be back,” she said. “I think it would be detrimental to her. She needs to show off how capable she is in the gym.”

Which is plenty. Tate was a level 9 club competitor before she left.

Despite that, she was surprised when she won the state title.

“I was thinking that the girl that was second was going to beat me,” said Tate, referring to Holy Names’ Elena Fowler. “Her vault was amazing, and her floor was pretty.”

She said her first-place finish was “unexpected” because it was her first year competing in high school. Tate said she started with ballet as a child but did not like its slow pace and would do “cartwheels all around.” Her parents then took her to Auburn Gymnastics for a summer camp as a 5-year-old, where, she said, the coaching staff quickly took notice of her skills.

Wilson (née Stobie), who also was a club gymnast before she turned out for the Trojans in the 1990s, said that experience has served Tate well.

“I think she’s a pretty motivated person in life,” Wilson said. “Club creates an atmosphere for responsibility.”

Even with her club experience, Tate is not sure she will be able to repeat as state champion with Auburn’s move from 3A to 4A.

“Honestly, there’s a lot more competition this year,” she said. “There are some goals, but I’m not in for the win; I’m in for having fun.”

Wilson said that Tate “absolutely” can repeat.

“It’s just a matter of who hits it that day,” she said. “I think there was a ton of competition in 3A, too.”

Tate knows what she will need to work on for that to happen. It begins with Saturday’s sub-regional tournament at Auburn Mountainview.

“I would like to work on floor more because those are my lowest scores,” Tate said. “Beam is by far my favorite because … if you’re confident, you will be fine. Walk like it is normal.”

Even if Tate seldom moves at a methodical pace. When she is not soaring across the mat, spectators may see her performing as a cheerleader during football season at Auburn Memorial Stadium. Tate hopes to continue that activity at Arizona State University after she graduates in 2018. She wants to study either nursing – she enjoys working with young children – or criminal justice there.

“Just taking pictures of a crime and trying to figure it out,” said Tate, adding that she likes the atmosphere and warm weather at ASU. “I like the mystery of it.”

Whichever direction Tate heads, Wilson expects her to succeed.

“She’s a very likable and social person,” she said. “She will be just fine with whatever job she ends up taking.”