Class 4A gymnastics: Schwartz bounces back to win vault

TACOMA — Sumner's Brianna Schwartz took home two mementos for her efforts on vault in yesterday's Class 4A state individual gymnastics championships: a first-place medal for her neck and an ice pack for her right calf.

Schwartz was one of four individual champions crowned yesterday at the Tacoma Dome Exhibition Hall, none of them from Redmond, which took the team title Friday night.

Schwartz, who landed awkwardly on an already sore calf after her second vault, posted a 9.6 to win the event, defending a title she won last year.

Lauren Webb of Federal Way, the 2003 bars champion, yesterday took first on beam with 9.55 points.

Lyndsay Skoda of Rogers, winner of the all-around title Friday night, placed first on floor with 9.7 points, just edging Schwartz and Redmond's Dani Okerlund, who both produced glittering performances to score 9.65 each.

Etasha Bhatt of Capital won her specialty, the bars, with 9.65 points.

Schwartz, the 2003 all-around champ who finished third in that competition Friday, also took home a second-place medal for bars (9.55).

"I knew there was going to be some hard competition this year," she said, "but I was proud of what I did yesterday and today."

Schwartz followed a Yurchenko layout with a solid landing on her first attempt. "I didn't hit my second vault as well," said Schwartz, who hurt her calf two months ago. "I just haven't stayed off my leg long enough to heal. But I'll be fine."

Schwartz, who also competes as a club gymnast, said she'll be back for her senior year.

"It can be hard to do both," she said. "But I did it last year, I did it this year, I'll do it again next year. This is a different experience, and I just think it's fun."

Webb and Skoda are seniors. Skoda, who missed last year's state meet because of a hand injury, says she hopes she catches the eye of some college coach. "I'd like to see what's out there," she said.

Okerlund, second in all-around Friday night, took third in vault, bars and beam — all with 9.45 scores — in addition to her second-place tie on floor.

"I had a few mistakes where I could have done better, especially on vault," said Okerlund, who won the 2003 vault crown, "but overall I'm happy."

Okerlund, a level-9 club gymnast, says she's evaluating whether to continue in club.

"I haven't decided yet," the sophomore said. "I did it this year, so hopefully my body can take it next year. I enjoy the team thing in high school.

"I've won a team championship with my club team, and that's been awesome," she said, "but we worked so hard all year and really grew as a team.

"It (winning the 4A title) has been our dream all year, and to do it and hit all the goals we set along the way, it was more than we could have asked for."