SEATTLE — Twenty-two years ago, when Stephanie Gundel took over as the gymnastics coach at Ballard, the Beavers finished their league in last place. Two decades later, it's a different story.
"Coaching, I love helping these girls grow through high school, set goals, accomplish goals, and just learn about themselves, learn how to deal with failure, learn how to deal with winning," Gundel said.
Dylan Kelley is one of six seniors on the Ballard team.
"It's been pretty special," Kelley said. "I feel like I've watched all of these girls like grow out of their comfort zones and I feel like they've seen me do the same and especially when you're a senior like you have this drive to like get all of these skills because especially with gymnastics you know this is probably going to be your last year doing this sport."
After an undefeated regular season, Ballard headed to the state as one of the favorites. But things did not start great on the beam.
"I think we were all a little nervous," said Brooke and Caitlyn Adkins. "That wasn't our best beam day and usually, we're pretty strong on the beam."
The Beavers re-grouped and bounced back on the bars, vault, and floor.
"I was definitely nervous because like we've been undefeated the whole season," Mari Puckett said.
Puckett, a sophomore, won the state individual championship on the floor, but helping her team make history was the ultimate success.
The Beavers became the first Seattle Public School to win a gymnastics title and Ballard team to win a WIAA state title in school history.
"It was kind of surreal like winning state because like the other years the best we've done is third place so like I never thought we'd ever win first place especially knowing that we're the first Ballard sport to do that it's pretty amazing," said Brooke and Caitlyn Adkins. "I don't know. It really felt like we got so lucky. That like this was our senior class/ This is our senior year. These are my best friends. I feel so proud of us," Kelley said.
The Super 6 seniors end on a high note, and now Puckett and the rest will try and keep it going.
"I mean there's only four of us right now, but I feel like we're all super strong athletes and we'll be able to hopefully get more girls and keep on the legacy," Puckett said.