K-M GYMNASTICS: AT A GLANCE
• COACH: Rachel Hopkins, 6th year
• LAST YEAR: 8th in the SPSL North
• TOP RETURNERS: Juliana Adams, so., bars/beam; Jenna Crain, sr., vault.
• TOP NEWCOMERS: Mealyn Ngu, fr., all-around; Alizhae Hilsman, fr., floor, vault.
• GRADUATED: Nora Keith, four-time state medalist, is now attending Western Washington University.
• TEAM STRENGTH: Great numbers, including several youngsters who will make an immediate impact.
• TEAM WEAKNESS: Inexperience. In addition, Kent-Meridian practices at the Kent Phoenix Academy due to the high school’s gym renovation. The Phoenix Academy has little space — “It’s about half the size of an auxiliary gym,” Hopkins said — and, as such, limits what the Royals are able to accomplish during practice on a daily basis.
• OUTLOOK: Though K-M lost Keith to graduation, this is a team that’s unquestionably on the rise. Adams, a state participant last year, injured her right ankle in May competing with the track team and will be limited. However, the combination of Adams and Crain gives the Royals a strong one-two punch. Add in Ngu and Hilsman and the fact that 26 kids turned out, and there’s reason for optimism.
Talk to us
Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.
To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.
