University Gymnasts Contenders For Title

The University high school gymnastics team has a short list for its annual shopping trip to the coast.

Jewelry. Or, to be more specific, necklaces with big, gaudy bronze, silver or, hopefully, gold medals.

The Titans have made it a habit to make the State AAA gymnastics finals, and over the years, shopping has become part of the routine, a way to enjoy the experience and relieve the pressure.

These days, however, the Titans are serious contenders for the team title, long dominated by upper-class West side schools, and placing individuals in the event finals is expected.

“The first year we had (individual) finalists we had mixed emotions,” U-Hi coach Stacey Heaton joked. “That wrecked our shopping day.”

The Titans compete for team and all-around honors Friday at 7:50 p.m. in the Tacoma Dome convention annex. Saturday afternoon the top 10 in each event compete for individual honors.

Last year, U-Hi finished fourth, its best showing ever, and three individuals made the finals. Two of those finalists return.

“It’s so hard to tell, but I think they have the potential to place third, or above,” Heaton said. “I would like to see four girls in the finals. My expectation is for all of them to have a good meet at the same time.”

The Titans have had four different all-around winners this year, senior Kalie Cossette and juniors Tara Hulbert, Coleen Pierce and Lindsey Brandle.

Also competing in the all-around are Kacey Frederickson of Ferris and Lindsey Linerud of Central Valley. Eleven other Greater Spokane League gymnasts qualified for state in at least one event.

“Our goal is to be first,” said Cossette, who finished ninth in floor exercise last year. “I don’t know if we can expect to get first, but we would like to get first.”

The Titans proved they could compete with the best from the West with a strong showing at a meet hosted by Sehome last month.

“It’s easier if you think of team,” said Brandle, who won the all-around at regional.

Heaton said, “You can take a fall off the beam because you know the team needs you in the next event. If you fall off the beam, you’re history in the all-around.”

That is the way senior Alison McCullough and junior Jennifer Lee view their role. Those two are overshadowed by the all-around contenders, but they are just as important because six compete per event and five are scored.

Lee is usually the fifth scorer, but rarely did a meet go by when the Titans didn’t need McCullough. In fact, McCullough, who was only scheduled for the floor at state last year, added bars and vault when Lee wrecked her right ankle during her floor routine.

It took Lee almost six months to feel comfortable on the ankle she hurt last year.

“I feel like I’m back on track,” she said. “I can’t say what I would have done, I don’t know if I’d do any better (without the long layoff). I feel good about things now.

“I’ve really been accident-prone. It’s really frustrating. I’m just praying, ‘One more meet.’ This is the first (year) I’ve been injury free.”

Lee said her best chance at the finals would be on the floor. Cossette would like to close out her career by making the finals in the vault, her favorite event. Pierce pointed to the beam and Hulbert, the district all-around champion, said she would like to be in the floor finals, even though she finished eighth on the bars last year.

Then they all agreed with Brandle, who said, “I like the beam, but any (final) would be good.”

Which is a shopping list everyone can agree with.

, DataTimes