BATTLE GROUND — Sarah Ellis can appreciate teamwork. She grew up in a club gymnastics background and was pleasantly surprised at how much a team can buy in under one goal and motivate one another. “It’s super nice being able to do well for your team rather than just for you,” she said. “It makes you do better.”
Ellis won the all-around title for the second year in a row, and by extension, played a big role in leading Columbia River to the team title at the 3A/2A/1A district meet at Battle Ground High School on Saturday. The Chieftains left Battle Ground Saturday winners with a 173.725-point team score, beating Mountain View’s 148.950 points.
Ellis and the Chieftains qualify for the State Gymnastics Tournament at the Tacoma Dome Exhibition Hall in Tacoma from Feb. 16-18. It’s Ellis’ fourth year qualifying. She reached state in three events as a freshman earned two medals, as a sophomore reached the finals in two events and last year, her junior season, took the state title on the balance beam.
All that aside, Ellis is most excited about how her team will do.
“I’m looking forward for our team for the first day because I’m excited for how we’re going to do,” she said. “We have a lot of potential this year.”
