Mead takes aim for state meet with trio in hot pursuit

A couple of things happened at last Friday’s District 8 4A gymnastics meet that will increase interest at this year’s regional, which begins at 1 p.m. Saturday at Central Valley.

Despite losing one of the Greater Spokane League’s top gymnasts, Kaila Evenoff, to an elbow injury, Mead rebounded to post its best score of the season (173.85) en route to a district title.

With Mead’s improvement, it stands to reason the large gap between the Panthers and the rest of the GSL would continue to widen.

Shadle Park, CV and University (the latter led by this season’s GSL all-around champion, Kayla McGahey,) revealed the flaws in that logic, as all three teams also posted their top scores of the season. Shadle came within three points of Mead.

Two teams advance from regional to the state tournament, held Feb. 18-19 in Tacoma. Three all-around gymnasts not on the qualifying teams also advance, as well as nine in each individual event not qualifying with a team or in the all-around.

Richland and Kamiakin qualified from District 5/6, and although neither should qualify as a team, Richland returns the defending all-around champion, junior Jayme Chapados.

J.D. Larson