Shorewood Gymnastics Team advances to State

The 2012 Shorewood Gymnastics State Team: Katerina Alexander, Diana Catinas, Yvonne Chan, Juliet Fisher, Katie Holloway, Emily Ramsden, Morgan Ramsden, Kyla Riley, and Stephanie Spee. Photo by Susan Riley.

Shorewood girls put the right pieces together to achieve team goal set amidst early-season potential

Shorewood gymnasts walked into the 2A/3A District meet on Saturday February 11 ready to turn heads and walk away proud of all they have accomplished this season. “Our girls prepared the entire season for this one chance to go to State as a team,” said Coach Susan Riley. “We came into the meet with a four point deficit from the other teams, and we knew we would have to have all the pieces to the puzzle to take one of the top three team spots that would advance us to the State meet.” Shorewood Gymnastics has not advanced to the State meet as a team in 16 years.

“We were all hopeful and very optimistic that we would have our best meet. Everyone was extremely excited to compete, but we were also nervous,” Co-Captain Katerina Alexander stated. “Before we marched in, we stood in a circle and everyone said something positive so that we could go out, do our best and have fun.”

Consistency was the key for Shorewood’s third place finish and season high score of a 149.175, which put them behind first place Bainbridge: 158.275 and second place Mount Si: 158.125.

The girls were huddled together in a giant team hug as the final team standings were announced. Knowing the top three teams would advance to State, the girls screamed when their third place finish was announced; they knew the last piece of the puzzle was in place…they were going to state as a team.

“We were sitting there, hopeful that we would be going to State as a team, however we knew there were a lot of great teams competing” Co-Captain Kyla Riley said. “When they announced the fifth place team, we were more than a little excited. Then, when they announced the fourth place team, we knew that all of our hard work this season had paid off and we were not able to hold in our excitement…Standing on the podium brought tears to our eyes. The thought that we were going to represent our school at State was overwhelming.”

“It really took a team effort” coach Riley said. “If any one of this team had been sick, injured, or did not give 110%, we would not be moving on. No one member was more important than another. Whether they competed as an All Around or were an alternate, they all had an important role in helping this team move on to State!”