U-Hi Gymnastics Team Steamrolls Into Regional

Stacey Heaton’s thoughts were elsewhere the first time she glanced at University’s team score during last weekend’s District 8-AAA gymnastics meet.

Later, at the urging of U-Hi athletic director Bill Ames, Heaton took another look at the numbers.

U-Hi: 176.42 points.

“I was stunned,” the Titans’ gymnastics coach said. “It took my breath away.”

U-Hi had shattered the school record of 171.70. U-Hi placed three in the top five all-around, with first-place Kim Meyers (37.27) and third-place Coleen Pierce (35.65) notching personal highs. The Titans won every event but the vault, and went 1-2-3 in the bars with Tara Hulbert topping the field.

Now the Titans, in their gymnasium, aim for their third consecutive Region IV title. Considering Kalie Cossette, their No. 2 all-around, settled for fifth at district because of flu, the Titans might uncork another standard.

Saturday’s events begin at 2 p.m. Kamiakin and Kennewick from the Big Nine Conference join the team race with U-Hi, Mead, Central Valley and Ferris - the favorite to advance as the other team to state.

Ferris, with a 173.27 at district, beat its team high by nearly eight points. Liz Miller (36.60) was second in the all-around and sophomore Morgan Fransk won the vault with a 9.025. Fransk competed in just one GSL meet this year.

“She has made tremendous strides, not only on the gymnastics floor but off the floor, as a student,” said Ferris coach Bill Christianson.

Christianson said Fransk has worked hard to overcome “bad decisions” made as a freshman.

Fransk faced banishment but her fellow Saxons interceded.

“The team voted to work with her instead,” Christianson said.

From non-qualifying teams, the top two all-around gymnasts and top seven in each event advance to state in the Tacoma Dome.

, DataTimes