U-Hi, Meyers Prevail
Since 1993, University High School has reigned as Greater Spokane League gymnastics champion.
The Titans, led by the strong performance of all-around winner Kim Meyers, once again defended their title, winning the 1996 District 8-AAA Meet at North Central on Friday night.
U-Hi finished with a team score of 176.425 points. Ferris took second place with 173.275, followed by Central Valley (167.125) and Mead (163.325). All four advanced to the regionals Feb. 10 at University.
In addition to placing first in allaround, Meyers took first in the floor and balance beam, and placed second in the vault and uneven bars. Although second place is hardly a shabby accomplishment, Meyers concedes the vault isn’t her forte.
“I’ve been working 24 hours a day, seven days a week on that vault,” Meyers said. “I don’t think I can put any more work into that.”
Even though she was favored to win the all-around, Meyers admitted to being nervous, but added she doesn’t try to think about the other gymnasts.
“I just concentrate on doing the best I can,” she said.
In the all-around, Meyers (37.325) was followed by Liz Miller (36.60) of Ferris, and fellow Titan Coleen Pierce, who finished at third (35.65).
The vault was won by Ferris’ Morgan Fransk (9.025). First place in the bars competition went to University’s Tara Hulbert (9.3).
With her fifth championship in 10 years as coach of the Titans, Stacey Heaton remains focused and confident in her team, that finished the year without a loss.
“I am confident that any one of my girls could make it to the (state) finals,” Heaton said. “(We always) have to be concerned about the other teams and the competition… . but right now we’re working towards (going to) state (finals).”“We can improve..there were some (areas) we weren’t getting tonight,” she said.
Meyers, not permitted to do any physical activity that may cause injury until after the season, plans to work on gymnastics and watch her friends ski and go sledding.
“I just push them,” she said wistfully.
, DataTimes