DES MOINES - Going into the final events of the West Central District III state qualifying gymnastic meet, the talent-laden teams of Emerald Ridge, Thomas Jefferson, Mount Rainier and Todd Beamer were locked in a four-way duel for the only berth to the state meet to be held at the Tacoma Dome Exhibition Center beginning Feb. 17.

Mount Rainier and Jefferson would each finish competition on the floor while Emerald Ridge and Beamer would each close on the very dificult to score high event of the balance beam.

In the end, the host Rams tumbled and danced to a powerful 47.125 on the floor exercise to set a school record 177.3 points and edge out the Raiders' 176.275. ER earned 175.425 while TB closed at 173.95.

Statistically, the top four scores posted at this meet were higher than the three other state qualifiers -- Mead (173.825), defending state titelists Newport (172.825) and Woodinville (171.9).

Mount Rainier's Cheyenne Gavino won the all-around champonship with a total of 37.625, and Ram teammate Baylee Hamilton placed third at 37.325. The former level 10 club performers are competing for their school for the first time in their senior year.

"I'm really lucky," MR head coach Ali Kestle said. "It's been a really fun year to have them on the team. We came up three points in the bars from last week and we can improve more going into state. We had a few falls we can fix. This shows we can compete for a state title."

Gavino won the vault (9.550) while also taking second on the bars (9.375) and earning a tie for fourth on the floor (9.65).

"I pulled more points by improving on the vault, bars and floor," she said. "Even though I fell on the beam, I still had a good score (9.15 11th place)."

Highlighting Hamilton's efforts were a 9.725 second place on the floor and a 9.475 fourth place on the beam. Fifth place on the bars (8.95) and a tie for sixth on the floor (9.225) completed her scoring.

"My floor was so exciting," she said. "The whole team was competing well. I stayed upright on the beam and just focused on being consistent."

Kerrie Heckel toughed it out with a good effort after respraining her ankle in warm ups.

Competing athletes on the West Central District champion Mount Rainier Rams are Alex Boyle, Cheyenne Gavino, Marissa Ginnett, Baylee Hamilton, Kerrie Heckel, Katya Komissarova, Symantha Murray, Anna Rigoen, Brianna Stoutenbergh, Megan Tagorda, Ava Welch and Natalie Welch.

Assisting head coach Kestle are coaches Reed Sundblad and Olivia Bemment. Ben Badley and Kevin Kinghorn serve as managers. Daren Rawie is the athletic director.

Last season Thomas Jefferson placed second as a team at state and Raider coach Debbie Hunter felt the hurt of not returning as a team this season, although she emphasized she has no regrets.

"We were pleased," she said. "We felt good. There are ups and downs, but they handled them well. We walked away feeling good. If we did our best, that's all we can do....It's just great competition when it's that close."

Jefferson senior Madi Kellar will go to state after finishing second on all-arounds (37.625) and winning the bars (9.425). Kellar balanced to a 9.625 second place on the beam. Raider individual event qualifiers on the vault are Monica Church (9.3 fourth place) and Shelby Church (9.0 tie for 10th with Kellar).

Joining Kellar on the beam as individual qualifiers are Shelby and Monica Church with Kaylynne Fuller. Monica Church will also compete on the state floor.

Last season's state third place Todd Beamer Titans also fell short this year, but will send top athletes to state as individuals.

"The team stepped it up and gave it their best effort. I have no regrets," said Titan head coach Gina Foster. "It was a good meet."

Performing after a weak of strep throat, Sam West claimed fourth place in the all around to earn her state berth with a 37.225 score. The best for West were third place postings on the beam (9.55) and bars (9.05).

"I felt pretty good," she said. "I haven't practiced since the last meet. It was all 'mucle memory'."

Another Titan individual besides West that will perform on the state vault is Leah Freeborn, who tied for sixth at 9.225. Kasey Johnson qualified on the bars with Freeborn. Freeborn earned seventh with an 8.65. On the beam are Johnson and Freeborn as individual event athletes while Freeborn hits the floor as another event.