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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Amber Baines North Central Year: Freshman Sport: Gymnast

North Central unveiled another freshman gymnastics sensation this year, but new face Amber Baines and sophomore Heidi McCullough are more complementary than competitive.

Baines, who scored a school-record 9.3 on the balance beam at last Saturday’s Port Angeles Invitational, is strongest on the beam and floor exercise. McCullough excels on the vault and uneven bars.

“I thought at first that Heidi might feel intimidated, but the two kind of trade off,” said NC gymnastics coach Bob Litton. “They’re handling it well. It’s a friendly rivalry.”

Baines, a Mount Pleasant, Utah, native who moved to Spokane from Sandpoint as a 7-year-old, picked up gymnastics six years ago.

“She was a natural daredevil,” said mom Pat Straws. “I wanted to get her into something disciplined and safe, that harnessed her little talents.”

Baines, an honor student, once worked as a paper carrier for The Spokesman-Review to defray costs for club gymnastics. She quit club competition to heal leg injuries.

Baines’ 9.0 on the floor at Port Angeles tied for third on NC’s all-time list. Baines performs to dramatic music from the movie “Batman & Robin.”

“I did the beam first, then I was just pumped for the floor,” Baines said of Port Angeles. “They weren’t just giving out scores.” , DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo