Mount Si’s slate of veteran gymnasts, several new to varsity and to high school competition, swept the top slots in all events at the team’s Thursday, Dec. 8, home meet versus Sammamish.

Mount Si led Sammamish, 160 to 125, with Bellevue third in overall scores with 88.

In the top slot, state-experienced sophomore Hannah Richmond led, followed by new varsity competitor Jen Rogers, who was helped by her superior floor and bars routines.

“I just go out there and have fun,” Rogers said. “I try to focus on going for it. I go out there and think, ‘I’m going to rock this.’ I think that helps me.”

Rogers wants to keep building her floor skills, while working toward an advanced move, called a “Giant,” on bars.

Mount Si’s Hailey Johnson outdid all comers on vault, taking an 8.9 on that event, her second high school match. Mount Si’s Mackenzie Brown was second with 8.5, followed by Carissa Castagno with an 8.4, Jessica Trotto with 8.35, Richmond with 8.3 and Rogers with 8.2.

“As a team, we did really good tonight,” Johnson said. She was also proud of her dance performance.

A club gymnast, the freshman is feeling the effects of school team spirit, and had kudos for Mount Si’s Amanda Urbasich, who got a 7.1 on vault in her first competition, and others.

“I love my team, they’re awesome,” Johnson said.

In bars, Richmond led with 7.25, followed by Castagno with 7.1, Rogers with 7, and Johnson and Trotto with 6.8.

On the floor, Richmond led with a 9.2, followed by Elizabeth Holmes with an 8.9. Freshman Jenn Rogers and Mackenzie Brown tied for third, breaking through the pack with scores of 8.8.

During the floor routine, Mount Si gymnasts on the sidelines often perform a signature move simultaneously with their competitor. When Rogers performed, they did the fist pump and shimmy as the same time she did.

“When I do that, I call it ‘lifting energy,” Rogers said. “I think it’s fun.”

• Mount Si’s next meet is a Saturday, Dec. 17 road meet against Mercer Island and Sammamish at the Mercer Island main gym.

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