Lions take a major step, qualify for state as a team

Depth and patience have rewarded Auburn Mountainview gymnastics coach Jayme Hostetter this high school season.

Behind a strong showing from their super six, the Lions ended a program drought by finishing third in their own gym at the 4A West Central District finals last Saturday, securing a coveted team berth at this weekend’s state championships in Tacoma.

“Back on track,” said Hostetter, whose Lions last experienced a team title try in 2012, when they finished sixth in the 3A showcase. “It’s not like we had one person. We have six in each event. Everybody today I think stepped it up and did their best.”

The Lions, who went on an 18-0 run through the North Puget Sound League dual-meet regular season, scored 161.7 points to finish third in the district team chase behind Emerald Ridge (162.6) and Kentlake (162.350). Kentridge qualified at the No. 4 spot (157.9).

“We beat our score from last week (league meet) by a few tenths, and that’s what you want to do. You want to get a little bit better every time you go,” Hostetter said. “So I’m happy with the kids’ performance.”

The top four teams, 19 individual performers and seven all-around gymnasts earned tickets to this Friday and Saturday’s state meet at the Tacoma Dome Exhibition Hall.

Auburn’s Ali Tate captured the all-around title with a score of 37.375 on the strength of a dazzling and winning 9.375 on the uneven bars, a second on the vault (9.625), a fourth in the floor exercise (9.4) and a fifth on the balance beam (8.975).

Auburn Riverside’s Hailey Kunimura qualified fourth for state in the all-around category (35.65) behind sixths on the bars (8.6) and floor (9.35), a seventh on the beam (8.85) and a ninth on the vault (8.85),

Lions do the job

Regan Singer led the Lions’ attack, finishing just outside the top 10 in the all-around grades (33.5) but was instrumental to the team cause with a solid 9.1 on the beam, fourth best on the day, along with a 9.0 on the floor.

Singer’s other scores on the day included an 8.1 on the vault and a 7.3 on the bars.

Different girls shone for the Lions in different ways.

Ariana Martinez posted sixths on the beam (8.9) and on the floor (9.35). Genevieve Tipton had the ninth-best vault (8.85) of the day. Breanna Shahan contributed an 8.5 on the floor, an 8.15 on the vault and a 7.05 on the bars. Jade Daniels turned an 8.55 on the beam and an 8.07 on the vault, and Maggie Ramey delivered an 8.2 on the vault and an 8.875 on the floor.

Also

Auburn finished seventh in the team standings.

Camryn Tongue qualified seventh for state in the all-around category (32.625), highlighted by her best scores of the day, a 9.0 on the floor and an 8.725 on the beam.

For the Ravens, Niina Werronen qualified individually for state on the vault (8.3), bars (6.950) and beam (7.95). Madeline Kelly qualified for state on the vault (8.25), bars (7.25), beam (8.4) and floor (8.5).

Auburn Riverside’s Hailey Kunimura performs her routine on the balance beam, an 8.85, seventh best among all competitors thoughout Saturday at the 4A WCD meet. RACHEL CIAMPI, Auburn Reporter

Auburn Mountainview’s Ariana Martinez posts an 8.9 on the beam during the 4A West Central District finals Saturday, adding to the Lions’ state-qualifying team score. RACHEL CIAMPI, Auburn Reporter