Thunderbirds dominate 2011 Wesco gymnastics championships

Shorewood Gymnastics Team. Photo by Susan Riley

The last time there were enough schools in one classification to hold an official Wesco gymnastics championship, many of the girls who competed in this year’s meet, were not yet born. 1994 was not only the last time Shorewood won the Wesco gymnastics championship, it was also the last time there was an official Wesco championship meet. In the years since 1994, the combination of fewer schools in Wesco with gymnastics programs and gymnastics dividing into 4A and 3A/2A competitions, kept the meet from happening.

Shorewood gymnasts, coached by Susan Riley and Julie Bugai, dominated the championship meet at Cascade Elite Gymnastics, winning with 139.85 points, ahead of Squalicum, Shorecrest, Sehome and Bellingham.

Shorewood senior Tyanna DeNova won the uneven bars, finished third on vault, tied for second on floor with junior teammate Kyla Riley, and was second in the all around. Riley also finished third on beam and fourth in the all around. Freshman Juliet Fisher was second on vault and fourth on uneven bars. Freshman Mandy Thorsen-Hansen was third on uneven bars. Junior Yvonne Chan was second on the beam.

Shorewood’s win sends the Thunderbirds onto the District Championships February 12, at Sammamish High School.

Team Score (Saturday, Jan. 29):

1. Shorewood 139.85, 

2. Squalicum 121.625, 

3. Shorecrest 117.625, 

4. Sehome 68.075, 

5. Bellingham 50.675.

Individual scores:

• Bars: 1) Tyanna DeNova, SW, 8.1; 2) Franzen, Squalicum, 7.85... 4) Mandy Thorsen-Hansen, SW. 6.3.
• Vault: 1) Tori Franzen, Squalicum 8.4; 2) Juliet Fisher 7.95, SW; 3) Tyanna DeNova 7.9 , SW; 4) Mia Peck, SC, 7.75.
• Beam: 1) Tori Franzen, Squalicum, 8.2; 2) Yvonne Chan, SW, 7.05; 3) Kyla Riley, SW, 6.95.
• Floor: 1) Tori Franzen, Squalicum, 8.425; 2) Tie- Kyla Riley and Tyanna DeNova, 7.575 SW;  4) Mia Peck, SC, 7.25.
• All Around: 1) Franzen, Squalicum, 32.825; 2) Tyanna DeNova, 29.675 SW; ... 4) Kyla Riley, 27.95 SW.