Schlosser tops in floor ex

 TACOMA – Jenna Schlosser made the most of her first state gymnastics meet.

One day after she placed second in the 4A all-around, the junior from Mead claimed the 4A floor title Saturday in the State Gymnastics Individual Finals at the Tacoma Dome Exhibition Hall.

 Schlosser posted a 9.5 to win floor, plus she placed second on bars (9.525) and beam (9.35) and tied for third on vault (9.6), making her the only 4A competitor to post four top-three finishes.

 “It was fun,” said Schlosser, who exited club gymnastics after rising to a level 9 and transitioned to high school competition this year. “This feels really good.”

 Schlosser points to her opening pass on floor, involving a flip with one-and-a-half twists followed by a front tuck, as vital to her winning score. “I only took one (extra) step, so that was pretty good,” she said.

 Mead finished third in team competition Friday night after the Panthers qualified for the state meet for the first time after winning the 4A team title in 2012. Mead coach Laurie Chadwick was asked what the addition of Schlosser meant to her squad.

 “She helps bring everyone on the team to a higher level,” Chadwick said, “and it’s not just her performance levels. She has a really upbeat, energetic personality, so she brings everybody up for a competition as well as in practice.”

 Junior Izzy Erdem of Central Valley, the only other Spokane-area qualifier in the 4A individual finals, placed fifth on floor (9.350). Other 4A champions were Jenna Hayes of Eastlake on vault (9.725), Marisa Savage of 4A team champ Woodinville on bars (9.55) and Candace Ho of Newport in Bellevue on beam (9.45), her second straight win on beam.

 In 3A/2A, Kiya Bjorge of Southridge was the meet’s lone two-time champion, winning titles on bars (9.575) and floor (9.675). Nykaela Dodson of Sammamish in Bellevue defended her title on beam (9.425) and Alexis Lawrence of Kamiakin, the 3A/2A all-around champion, won the vault title (9.725).

 Mt. Spokane senior Amara Poquette took sixth on floor with a score of 9.45 and tied for ninth on beam (8.475).

 Freshman teammate Reigan Kampmann tied for eighth on 3A/2A floor (9.4), placed 14th on vault (9.0) and finished tied for 15th on beam (7.975). Sophomore Jade Anderson of Mount Spokane finished 10th on floor (9.375).