Beavers are KingCo force

By Dean Wong

In gymnastics, the Ballard Beavers are becoming a force in KingCo, winning meets and earning the respect of top teams like the Garfield Bulldogs and Bothell Cougars in recent weeks.

The latest taste of success came on Jan. 5, when Ballard scored 160.85 points to defeat two strong teams in Garfield (171.05) and Redmond (100.25) at the Seattle Gymnastics Academy.

The Beaver program has been on the rise under coach Stephanie Gundel, winning meets despite the loss of three top gymnasts in three years due to graduation. This year's team features a strong freshman class.

Ballard dominated the vault routine in the Bulldog match up. Freshmen Taylor Stern (second,) Emma Bowen (fourth) and Shannon Donnelly (fifth) all placed in the event. Seniors Audra McCafferty and Marimar White-Espin were sixth and seventh. Another freshman, Molly Barnes was tenth.

Stern, Bowen and Barnes, were second to third place respectively in the bars. McCafferty, freshman Erica Redmond and White-Espin were in eighth and ninth place.

Redmond won the beam with Stern and White Espin in third and fourth. Bowen, Barnes and White-Espin were all tied for sixth. Senior Becca Morse was ninth.

Stern also came out on top in the floor with Redmond taking second. Bowen and Barnes were fifth and sixth.

This year's squad includes nine freshmen: Barnes; Brown; Ashley Hart; Sarah Katsandres; Elise Neroutsos; Joanne Peterson; Donnelly and Stern. The sophomores are: Bowen and Susie Lessard. The lone junior is Allison Belcher.

The seniors include: Johannah Juarez; Kate Campiche; Sammy Ellis; White-Espin; captains McCafferty; Morse; and Maria Pantigoso.