Camas and Prairie make it to state meets as teams, while 19 individuals from Clark County will compete this week as well
The Camas Papermakers are going for a fourth consecutive state team title in gymnastics this weekend.
The Prairie Falcons are going to state as district team champions for the first time in more than 25 years.
Oh, and there are big changes to state gymnastics this year. The WIAA announced earlier this season that there would be no “finals” session as organizers tried to limit the number of people in the facility at the same time. Pandemic protocols will mean that athletes have one shot to shine for the individual events.
Still, Camas coach Carol Willson said, it is better than no event at all.
“Feels good to get somewhat normalcy back, even though it’s going to look different,” Willson said.
Her Camas Papermakers won state team titles in 2018, 2019, and 2020. Then there was no state meet last year.
“I feel like there is a lot more pressure. Everybody is watching us and expecting us to win,” Willson said.
Going by scores from throughout the year, Woodinville would have to be considered the top seed, Willson added.
“I’m not ruling us out,” she said. “I have faith in these girls. They are hungry. They want to do it.”
Hallie Kempf, Peyton Cody, and Cyenna McCuster will compete in the all-around – all four events – for the Papermakers. Willson said all three have the potential to earn medals.
Prairie coach Dakota Tast wrote a message on her Facebook page after the Falcons won district.
“I’m beyond proud of these 10 ladies who’ve given everything to the program this season,” she wrote. “Your hard work paid off ladies.”
The Class 3A/2A/1A meet is Friday at Sammamish High School in Bellevue. The Class 4A meet is Saturday.
For more information and the event’s schedule, go to the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association page for gymnastics: https://www.wiaa.com/subcontent.aspx?SecID=317
Here are the Clark County athletes who have qualified to compete at state.
Class 4A:
Camas (As a team): Hallie Kempf, Peyton Cody, Cyenna McCuster, Kennedy Cody, Sneha Shankar, Ella Allum, Lizzie Cerotsky, Allie Hubbard, Cate Neill, Corissa Cassity, Olivia Bane
Skyview: Sarah Bilyeu (bars); Anna Sugarman (bars, beam, floor, vault); Olivia Chou (floor, vault)
Union: Elaine Hendricks (vault); Ava Powlowski (vault), Cassidy Hampton (beam)
Class 3A/2A/1A
Prairie (As a team): Grethan Lane, Sadie Kienzle, Lexi Kienzle, Jaden Frazier, Kylie Nemeth, Maddy Lewis, Campbell Snider, Abby Stoops, Stephanie Pavlenko, Jaylen Hill
Columbia River: Sydney Stahl (vault, floor, bars, beam); Kendall Ball (vault, floor, bars, beam); Lauren Stewart (vault); Estella Stillman (beam, floor); Rachel MacArthur (floor)
Evergreen: Chloe Klock (floor)
Heritage: McKenna Holder (vault, floor, bars, beam)
Mountain View: Rell Lennox (bars); Emma Schnabel (vault)
Ridgefield: Joslyn Mayberry (vault, floor, bars, beam); Sasha Glenn (bars, beam); Kylee Mayberry (vault)
Washougal: Reese LeVanskey (bars, beam)
