Winning the district championship in the All Around competition was one of many goals Lauren Haar set prior to the gymnastics season.

        The Mason junior accomplished this and others, qualifying for the state meet as an individual in the vault, beam, bars and all around.

        Haar's efforts earned the 17-year-old The Enquirer's gymnast of the year, while Gwen Shafer from Walnut Hills is coach of the year.

        “I qualified to state in everything but the floor exercises,” Haar said. “I had a little trouble on the beam (fell) but over all, I was satisfied.”

        A former member of Queen City Gymnastics, Haar decided to quit the club team when Mason started a gymnastics program in the 1999-2000 season.

        “I quit because I wanted to try some other sports,” Haar said. “I'm also in track, but I'll practice gymnastics during the summer. It's a lifestyle thing. Once you're in it, you're in it for life.”

        Mason coach Donna Griffith had nothing but praise for Haar.

        “Lauren was first in the all around at almost every meet this year and last year,” Griffith said. “She sets a high standard for herself and had an outstanding state meet except on the beam.”

        Griffith pointed out Haar, who reluctantly tried out for the team last season, finished the state meet with her best performance on the vault and also was outstanding on the bars.

        “The passion is back for Lauren,” Griffith said. “She plans to stay involved during the summer to improve her skills. She's a competitor and doesn't want to be embarrassed.”

        Until Shafer took over the Walnut Hills program three seasons ago, the Eagles seldom contended. Today, Walnut Hills fields a competitive team and should get better in the future.

        “She brought them (Walnut Hills) out of the cellar,” Sycamore coach Ed Schwegler said. “Obviously, they're not a top five team, but they have made big strides.”

        Overall, 12 schools field gymnastics teams in the Cincinnati area with Anderson, Lakota West, Sycamore and Turpin the top squads.

        FIRST TEAM

        Janice Gillis, Anderson, Junior, State Qualfiier, Vault

        Kristin Doidge, Anderson, Junior, State Qualifier, Bars, Beam

        Shubha Singh, Sycamore, Junior, State Qualfiier, Floor Exercises

        Sarah Scheeren, Turpin, Senior, State Qualifier, Floor Exercises, Vault

        Stephanie Bentley, Lakota West, State Qualifer, Vault, Beam, Floor and All Around

        HONORABLE MENTION

        Emma Sartini, Lakota West; L. Howard, Anderson; Christina Dietz, Turpin; Tori Brokamp, Turpin; Kelli Lagemann, Anderson; Kim Madden, Anderson; Tracy Settle, Anderson; Erika Chrapliwy, Sycamore; Alexis Coy, Anderson; Brandenstien, Lakota West.,

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