It’s Not A Stretch To Pick Titans University Doesn’t Have Superstar, But Plenty Of Depth Bodes Well In Quest For Another Gsl Title

The day after Thanksgiving found University gymnastics coach Stacey Heaton shopping with Kim Meyers.

Luckily for Heaton, she doesn’t need to shop for someone to replace Meyers.

Meyers, a freshman at Eastern Washington University, was unbeaten in Greater Spokane League meets during her junior and senior seasons at U-Hi.

No U-Hi competitor is expected duplicate Meyers’ two-year run, but the Titans figure to have enough depth to win their fifth consecutive league title.

Heaton welcomes back three allleague returnees: senior Kalie Cossette, and juniors Coleen Pierce and Tara Hulbert. Also back is junior Jen Lee, whose injury at state last year probably cost U-Hi third place.

Add to the list former club gymnast Lindsay Brandle, whom Heaton predicts can place at state in the bars.

“I have a very powerful ‘top’ team,” Heaton said. “The other girls just haven’t had that club experience.”

Ferris, Central Valley and Mead should jockey for second place. Last year, Ferris placed right behind U-Hi in league, district and region, then placed seventh at state.

Ferris coach Bill Christianson had a turnout of 80, quadruple that of U-Hi. Rigorous practices trimmed the numbers to 60.

Seniors Kacey Fredrickson and Andrea Evans, and sophomore Kim George should guide the Saxons.

CV coach Kim Brunelle reported a turnout of 40, including junior Lindsay Linerud and senior Shelly Cunanan, both all-league returners from a third-place team. The Bears’ other state veterans are Sidira Sisich on the vault and Sarah Shryack on floor exercise.

The GSL’s other all-league returner is Heather Salo, whose Mead Panthers finished fourth last year. Mead’s other state veterans are seniors Kelly Herron and Alisha Simchuk, and sophomore Marki Stewart.

North Central, fifth last year, has a combination of young and old. Seniors Emily Jones, Shelly Betts and Heather Brotherton will provide leadership for coach Bob Litton’s eight freshmen.

Rogers finished sixth last season. Coach Kathy Harrison returns regional competitors Cora Gaines, Brandy Shea, Carlene Krebs and Sandra Canan.

Shadle returns 10 varsity members but not its coach. Tammy Schindler replaces Christine Callihan. Mary Bass and Tami Pule are the top all-around returnees.

LC’s Barb Richards returns eight varsity competitors, including juniors Reagan Nail, Anne Sackville-West, Rachel Finnegan, Megan Murphy, Michelle Ransford and Jessica Grande.

GSL coaches are mainly unchanged, and the league’s power base appears the same, but one unpopular change has occurred. The region’s state allocations have been cut to one team, two all-around competitors and seven individuals in each event.

Heaton said state coaches originally approved a plan to give Region IV two teams to state each year. Between the time of that approval and an official announcement, something went awry for the east side of the state.

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MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: GSL GYMNASTICS Defending league, district and regional champ: University (fourth at state). Ferris finished second at league, district and regional, then seventh at state. Titanic: U-Hi has won the last four league titles and 20 consecutive GSL four-way meets. All-league returners: Coleen Pierce, Kalie Cossette and Tara Hulbert, U-Hi; Lindsay Linerud and Shelly Cunanan, Central Valley; Kacey Fredrickson, Ferris; Heather Salo, Mead. Linerud placed eighth on balance beam, Hulbert tied for eighth on bars and Cossette tied for ninth in floor exercise at state. Change: Just one team, seven from each individual event and two all-around performers advance to state from the GSL’s region. New coach: Tammy Schindler replaces Christine Callihan at Shadle Park. Opening meets: Lewis and Clark, North Central and U-Hi at Rogers on Monday. CV, Shadle and Ferris at Mead on Tuesday. Projected finish: U-Hi, Ferris, CV, Mead, NC, Rogers, LC, Shadle.