Matt Phelps
Mercer Island Reporter

Two years ago, Islander Laura Maruhashi watched one of her teammates place fourth in state, the best finish for any Mercer Island High School gymnast in the school’s history.

Maruhashi got to find out exactly what that teammate was feeling Saturday when she also placed fourth in state for All-Around with a score of 36.55 at the Tacoma Dome Exhibition Center.

“I am pretty happy with it,” said Maruhashi. “It’s the best I have ever done at state.”

One thing that makes the accomplishment that much more impressive is that Maruhashi does not do gymnastics year-round like most of the girls at the meet. The senior runs cross country during the fall and plays lacrosse during spring.

“It is nice to have that break, and I think it worked out well,” said Maruhashi. “Cross country really helped with my endurance.”

Maruhashi also finished third on beam (9.3) and fourth on bars (9.225). The senior placed 12th on vault with a 9.1 and 29th on floor with a 9.225.

Discrepancies in the scoring between the first group and second group of the meet led to many Islanders not qualifying for finals events.

One example was Islander Vanessa Gaffney, who scored a 9.3 on floor and not qualifying for the finals.

“Any other year, she would have made the finals,” said Lewis. “It was disappointing the way the scoring went.”

Her 8.6 on vault was only good enough for 42nd. Islander Erika Reutimann placed 72nd on vault with an 8.4.

“They had a good time,” said Mercer Island coach Lenny Lewis. “Just making it to state is an accomplishment.”

Mercer Island senior Olivia Harvey continued to battle through an ankle injury.

“I could tell her ankle was hurting her,” said Maruhashi. “She did well for the circumstances.”

Harvey finished 22nd on beam with an 8.65 and 25th on bars with an 8.07.

Reutimann, who will be back next year, finished 69th on floor (8.425) and 76th on bars (6.25).