The other teams crowded around the mat and watched as Lindbergh’s Louise Baker laid down a strong floor routine that solidified a huge win for the Eagles against Mount Rainier Tuesday night. The other teams had completed their cycles and surrounded the central mat to watch as Baker earned a win for herself in the event and for her team at the meet.
Lindbergh improved to 2-0 on the season with the 141.20-129.85 win over Mount Rainier (1-1) on Dec. 9. It was the first time in Lindbergh coach Maggie O’Connor’s four years the Eagles have beat the Rams.
“It feels really good beating Mount Rainier,” O’Connor said. “I’m really proud of them. They got what they wanted and they got what they deserved.”
On senior night for the Eagles, the senior Baker led the way for her team. Baker scored the top marks on the all-around competition with 33.75. She also won or tied for the win in every individual event (vault 8.5, bars 8.8, beam 8.15, floor 8.3).
Curiosity got the best of O’Connor during the meet. “I’m focused on what my girls are doing, but I was kind of looking at the scores Mount Rainier was putting up as the judges were flashing them.”
Senior Christine Yamaguchi trailed Baker closely in many events, earning second in all-around (30.95), vault (8.45), bars (6.6) and floor (8.1).
Aleyna Yamaguchi placed third in bars (5.8), second in beam (8.0) and third in floor (7.8).
O’Connor wasn’t sure about the win after the Eagles completed their third event, the beam, which is usually a strong point. The group had a lot of falls and put a win in jeopardy.
“That’s (beam) usually one of our strong events so it kind of threw everyone off,” O’Connor said. “But we finished floor really strong and won.”
The meet was Lindbergh’s only home meet of the season. The Eagles face Kennedy at Mount Rainier on Dec. 16 in their next league meet.
O’Connor said the Rams were likely Lindbergh’s toughest test in league competition this year, so the two teams may face off again in the Seamount League championship meet later in the season. But right now the Eagles are basking in the win.
“We’re so pumped after that win,” O’Connor said. “We could go to state right now.”
