Class 3A/2A gymnastics: Kennedy freshman sweeps event finals

TACOMA — With a gym bag full of individual first-place medals, Kennedy's Anissa Madrid had no complaints yesterday after the two-day Class 3A/2A state gymnastics championships.

Except, perhaps, that her timing could have been a little better.

"I just wish this day could have been yesterday," the freshman gymnast said. "But I'm still happy with everything."

Madrid, edged by Brooke Nall of Bainbridge for the all-around title during Friday's team competition, bounced back with first-place finishes in all four events in the individual championships at the Tacoma Dome Exhibition Hall.

In competition involving the top 10 finishers in each event Friday, Madrid, a level-10 club gymnast, appeared almost lighter than air at times as she flipped and floated to victories on vault (9.35), bars (9.525), beam (9.6) and floor (9.675).

She shared the top step of the victory stand in three events. Nall, a junior, tied for first on vault and floor. On beam, Madrid shared first with Kennedy teammate Kim Merlich.

On Friday, Madrid had the top score in just one event (bars) and accumulated an all-around score of 37.6, just shy of Nall's winning total of 37.725.

Her cumulative score in yesterday's competition was 38.15.

Madrid was still pleased by the outcome, particularly her performance on the bars (where she stuck a fast-spinning dismount) and on floor.

"I just wanted to show it off," the 14-year-old said. "That's what I'm about, just showing it off and being outgoing, (letting) everyone know who I am."

The last time a 3A/2A gymnast placed first in all four individual events was 2002, when Katie Dinsmore of Lakeside (Nine Mile Falls) accomplished the sweep.

Two weeks ago, at the West Central 3A District meet, Madrid said this would be her first and last season of high-school competition. Yesterday, she said things have changed.

"My (club) coach and I realized this made me a lot stronger physically and mentally," she said. "So I'm going to be back here next year for certain.

"And I didn't want to leave Kim, because I love her so much," Madrid added. "I'm happy I'm coming back."

Notes

• Madrid, Nall and Newport sophomore Kendra Miller were the only gymnasts who qualified for all four events yesterday. Miller, third in Friday's all-around, finished fourth on beam and floor, sixth on vault and eighth on bars.

• The top performer for Issaquah, which won its third straight state team title Friday, was senior Maureen Poston, who was sixth on bars and beam. Senior teammate Amy Bernard tied for sixth on floor.

• Poston opened the event yesterday with a stirring a cappella rendering of the national anthem.