Auburn Trojan gymnasts compete at state

Auburn was one of eight schools to qualify as a team for state championships.

By Benjamin Ray • February 27, 2024 3:50 pm

When the winter sports season picks up, a lot of attention at Auburn High went toward the basketball court.

But their attention should also be directed to the upper gym at Auburn where Head Coach Crystal Tate helped get her Trojan gymnasts to qualify for state as a team.

“They worked really hard. I don’t think they realize how hard it is because they’re so young,” Tate said.

Auburn was just one of eight teams across the entire WIAA State 1A/2A/3A competition at Sammamish High School on Feb. 23-24 to qualify as a team to compete.

“I attribute it to coaching and to the talent that came to us. I have two great assistant coaches. I step back and watch in awe at how well they work with them,” Tate said.

Addison Reynolds was the lone Trojan to place overall, coming in seventh on the bars and eighth in the all-around. She is just one of a handful of freshmen on a Trojan team that had a lot of success this season.

“We have some good young talent. I hope it keeps growing. We only have three seniors, so that is nice,” said Tate.

It wasn’t all about having success on day two or making a podium — even though what Reynolds did was special, taking a podium spot for the first time since her sister Michaela did so in 2022.

The impressive feat is Auburn making it to state as a team. The perseverance the Trojan gymnasts showed really impressed Tate: “Already they have found success. Being league champs is huge, second in districts is a big thing. It is such a brutal sport, they’re so tired. I think they’re excited (to compete at state).”