Mead, University enter state meet with goal of improving

When Mead and University compete at the State 4A gymnastics championships today at the Tacoma Dome Exhibition Hall, the emphasis will be on improvement.

Last year, Mead improved a point from regionals to state, and the resulting third-place finish was the GSL’s best since 1999. Shadle Park dropped three points over the same span and finished fifth.

Both Mead’s Panthers and U-Hi Titans would appear to have a shot at a third-place finish if they can squeeze a couple of points out of routines.

Mead’s 170.625 was the third-best score at last weekend’s 4A regional tournaments, but the fourth- through eighth-place scores were all between 166-170, including U-Hi’s 168.7, sixth among regional scores.

Bothell (177.75 last weekend) and Skyview (174.85) are the two favorites.

Kayla McGahey, a U-Hi senior, scored a 36.575 all-around at last year’s state tournament, good for seventh place, which she improved to 36.85 at last weekend’s regionals. Mead’s Ashley Dotson and Central Valley’s Maya Morgan are trying to build on top-15 finishes from last year.

Dotson, recovering from mononucleosis that caused her to miss districts and compete in a limited capacity at regionals, scored a 36.025 at state last year. Her best this year was a 36.25 in the second week of GSL competition.

Morgan finished 12th last year, scoring 35.95, and will compete this year in the all-around along with Mt. Spokane’s Sarah Hanson.

Three other gymnasts made the tournament in all four events: CV’s Courtney Sexton, Shadle’s Sarah Miller and North Central’s Katie Sweatt, who will compete in the 3A/2A tournament.

Team and all-around competitions are today. Those who finish in the top 10 in each apparatus compete for individual event championships Saturday.