Burgeoning building blocks of progress and an admirable achievement against adversity added to the awesomeness of the annual renewal of the Federal Way School District All-City High School Gymnastics Meet last Wednesday at Federal Way High School.

In the 2009 version, Cassie Peterson captured gold in the all around competition with a cumulative score of 35.45 to pace Todd Beamer by second place Thomas Jefferson 169.35-153.5. Federal Way scored 145.4 in third while Decatur finished a strong fourth at 140.75.

Peterson earned individual first places on the balance beam (9.4) and the uneven parallel bars (8.2). The tough Titan coupled a second place on the floor exercise (9.4) with a sixth place tie score of 8.45 on the vault to complete her scoring.

“It was just the team,” recalled Peterson. “We were excited and confident while pumping each other up.”

Beamer swept the next three all around placings as Jessica Freeborn notched a second place 34.15 score. Freeborn bounded to a brilliant first place on the floor exercise at 9.45 and also added a first place tie on the vault at 8.6. Freeborn augmented her total with third places on the beam (9.0) and the bars (7.1).

Beefing up the Titan team score was Leah Freeborn with a third place all around total of 33.45. Leah’s second place score of 7.5 on the bars highlighted her efforts. Freeborn contributed a fourth place tie on the beam (9.2) and a sixth place tie on the vault (8.45). Laura Schrader completed the Titan domination of the first four places in all around with a 33.15 total. Schrader tied for third on the vault (8.5) while compiling a fourth place 7.0 on the bars. Schrader added a 9.2 tie for fourth place on the floor exercise.

In individual events, Katie Peterson earned third place on the floor at 9.3 and fourth place on the beam at 8.9.

This meet bode well for the peaking Beamer squad. The Titans won each event as a team and showed super strength on the floor while grabbing the top five rankings and a 46.55 total.

“This was our season best,” exclaimed Jessica Eisenberg, who coaches Beamer along with Gina Foster. “This was our first time on a spring floor and it was nice to see the potential. We improved a few things throughout the events and added new routines. It’s good to see it coming together. I hope we can do it on Saturday (at subdistrict).”

Also fashioning a formidable foundation at the right time was Thomas Jefferson, which used its familiar formula for success in crafting second place.

“We’re gettng better every meet,” said TJ assistant Laura Rosa. “We’re fighting to go to post season. As usual, we use our depth because we have no super stars. They’re maxing out their skill level. What more do you want?”

Leading the Raiders was Bri Adam with a fifth place 32.4 on all around. Adam’s second place 9.3 on the balance beam triggered her effort. The TJ gymnast added a third place tie on the vault (8.5) and a sixth place 9.0 on the floor.

“I was comfortable and just did everything with confidence,” stated Adam.

Jefferson used team strength in placing 6-10 to amass its second place. Brandi Vallejo tied for sixth on the vault to lead TJ individuals behind Adam.

Decatur garnered its fourth place on the strength of Holly Phan’s sixth place all around score of 32.2. Phan torched the vault for a second place 8.6 while adding a fifth place of 6.9 on the bars.

“Our team did really well,” she observed. “I just stayed tight on my routines and did my best.”

Gator coach Patty Braun was pleased with the team effort.

“We’re peaking right now,” she said. “Our scores have improved the last three meets. It’s coming together. Our goal this season was to break 140.”

“We’re horribly injured,” observed Eagle coach Jamie Tough. “I’ve never seen so many girls injured. Valerie Pham locked up her knees and is done for the season. Even with the injuries, the girls wanted to compete. Some girls competed in new events. One girl learned a floor routine half an hour before we got here. It was good to have this experience. For what we had, we did awesome.”

Taryn Paschke paced Federal Way with a seventh place 32.1 on all arounds. Paschke shined on the vault with a third place 8.5 tie and also took sixth on the bars at 6.85.

“It was tough, but fun,” she said. “We had our hopes high and tried our best. On the vault, I tightened up my routine.”

Courtney Stute achieved a fifth place tie of 8.7 on the beam as Lydia Berger and Alisha Bowen deadlocked at 8.45 in a sixth place tie on the vault.

Next up for the gymnasts is the subdistrict meet this Saturday at Auburn Mountainview.