T-birds compete in toughest district in the state
By Tony Dondero
Enterprise reporter
MOUNTLAKE TERRACE
Shorewood fields a very young gymnastics team that competes in the toughest district in the state.
The Thunderbirds, who practice at Cascade Elite Gymnastics in Mountlake Terrace, have 20 gymnasts on their roster and 12 of them are freshman. Shorewood has two sophomores, four juniors and two seniors. The team’s top gymnast from last year, Crystal Bugai, graduated.
Sophomore Tyanna DeNova is the top returner competing in all four events, the uneven bars, balance beam, vault and floor exercise. The uneven bars are her best event, coach Susan Riley said.
The team’s other top gymnasts include Riley’s daughter, freshman Kyla Riley, freshman Yvonne Chan, senior Marina Lutsky and junior Julia Hayes, the latter two who serve as co-captains.
With all the freshmen, the T-birds are building for the future and helping the gymnasts get used to how routines are judged in high school.
In club gymnastics, in which about five Shorewood gymnasts have participated, most routines are compulsory. That means the routine is set and judges are looking for specific parts to be performed. In high school, the routines are developed by the gymnast and her coach so adjustments can be made during the performance.
“It takes a year to get used to that,” Susan Riley said. “You can change it in the middle of the routine.”
“We just help them out whenever they need help,” Lutsky said. “We guide them through everything.”
The District 1 and 2 meet is also hyper-competitive with powerhouses Woodinville, Bothell and Inglemoor vying for spots. With Newport and Issaquah moving up to 4A this year it will be even tougher to get a state berth. Shorewood’s sent Bugai and Elle MacGeorge to state a few years ago but it’s been almost impossible to get a state berth with the competition from the KingCo schools. Only one team qualifies for state out of the combined district and only the top five scorers along with the top all-around go in each event. The top girls at those schools are club gymnasts and usually get the state berths.
“We definitely got the short end of the stick on that one,” said Riley, the coach.
But most of the Shorewood gymnasts are competing to have fun more than to get to state.
“We know we can try our best,” Hayes said. “It’s a good opportunity for us to see what gymnasts are out there. It’s fun to watch the other girls.”
“I’ve always done it as a fun way to meet new people,” she said.
While it’s unlikely the T-birds will qualify anyone for state, they look forward to the Shoreline Cup meet against crosstown rival Shorecrest which they hope to win for the sixth consecutive year.
“It’s a big, fun meet,” Hayes said.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
