GYMNASTICS: Kentridge pair shines at district meet; Kentlake, Kentwood girls also advance to state

The future is bright on the Kentridge High gymnastics mats.

That future appears to be coming earlier than expected, too.

Kentridge freshmen Ellie Hoekman and Amy Hiraki both starred in last week’s district meet, held Feb. 11 at Mount Rainier High in Des Moines. Hoekman posted a 9.225 on her floor routine and Hiraki added a 7.25 on the uneven bars as both qualified for the state meet, which will be held Friday and Saturday, Feb. 18-19 at the Tacoma Dome Exhibition Hall.

“Going into Kentridge, we knew we could bring some talent to the team,” said Hoekman, a 14-year-old freshman who was a Level 8 gymnast until last year, when she stepped away from club competition.

As for that future …

“It’s going to be amazing,” Hoekman said.

The top two teams, two all-arounds and six individuals in each event at the district meet earned berths to state. Thomas Jefferson won the team title at the district meet with 170.7 points followed by Beamer at 168.5. Kentlake, the lone local squad to advance to districts as a team, finished in fifth with 152.05 points.

As has been the case all season long, the Falcons were led by junior Katie Steckler and senior Lynnsey Thielman. Steckler punched state tickets in the vault (8.775), bars (7.5) and balance beam (8.5). Not far behind was Thielman, who earned a state berth on the balance beam (8.15). Meanwhile, Kentwood’s Jordan Johnson continued to dazzle. After a strong performance at the sub-district meet, Johnson sizzled at districts, qualifying for state in the vault (9.225), bars (7.6) and floor (9.15).

Tahoma’s Kayla Kershner, who has returned this season from a knee injury, rounded out the locals who will be competing at state, earning her ticket with a score of 8.4 on the vault.