KENT - Opening night at Kentridge High School drew dynamite reviews for the Todd Beamer High School gymnastics squad last Wednesday.

Drawing upon a solid cast of all-around performers in its first curtain call of the South Puget Sound League season, Beamer amassed 155.4 points to win the meet against Rogers of Puyallup (146.8) and Kentridge (142.75).

"For the first night the girls did a great job," observed Titan head coach Gina Foster. "We have a lot of girls that can be in all events and do everything."

Assistant coach Jessica Eisenberg agreed.

"Our all-around performers are the key," she said. "Also, having a smaller team (in numbers) is a great challenge."

Of the nine members suited up for the meet at Kentridge, five competed in all-around competition.

A quartet of all-around performers cracked the top six rankings.

Cassie Peterson took the leading role for the Titans, scoring 33.5 to trail only Chelsea Whitton of Rogers (33.8). Peterson danced to a 9.0 first place on the floor exercise while also capturing the vault with an 8.5. Peterson also swung to to an 8.2 third place on the uneven parallel bars and notched a 7.8 fifth place on the balance beam.

"I just worked hard and did my best," she attested. "To be successful, I try my hardest and just believe in myself."

Finishing with 32.35 points, senior Kaylyn Borden earned fourth place in the all-around in Beamer's top supporting role. Borden tied for second on the beam (8.4) behind Whitton's 8.5 first place. An 8.65 third place on the floor and an 8.1 tie for third on the vault were her next best finishes. Sixth place on the bars rounded out her scoring.

"It was fun! It was exciting!" she exclaimed. "Our team came together and it was good to see. State! State! That's our our goal."

Jessica Freeborn's 8.4 tie for second on the beam highlighted a 31.1 fifth place in all-arounds. Leaping to a 7.4 fifth place on the vault, Freeborn also added an 8.0 sixth place on the vault.

"It was a good night," she stated. "I was a little bit nervous, but I have confidence to just do my best and have fun."

An 8.3 fourth place deadlock on the floor sent Laura Schrader sizzling to sixth at 30.45. Schrader's 8.05 was sufficient for fifth place on the vault.

"I've been working hard the last two weeks and it paid off tonight," she said.

Lexi Boring managed 7.8 on the floor to earn a sixth spot placing as her most proficient action of the night.