The first-year Enumclaw High gymnastics squad knocked off the defending state champions, captured the West Central District title and secured a team berth in the upcoming state championship meet.

Under the guidance of coach Ben Skipworth, the Hornets earned the WCD crown Saturday, slipping past last year’s champs from Auburn Mountainview in the process. Enumclaw scored 170.325 points at the district meet to second-place Mountainview’s 163.475.

As a result, EHS will compete as a team Friday and Saturday in the Tacoma Dome’s exhibit hall, joining crews from throughout the state.

Enumclaw’s district-championship effort was led by Olivia Bannerot, who captured all-around honors by placing first in the floor exercise, first in the uneven bars, second on the balance beam and third in the vault.

She was not the only Hornet with an impressive WCD showing. Kelsey Messer was first on the beam and placed in the top eight in all other events; Molly Mattheis was fourth in the bars and fifth in the vault; and Sarah Lurry won the floor exercise.

In the all-around standings, Messer was third, Mattheis was sixth and Lurry was ninth.

Also contributing to the Enumclaw effort and earning a state trip were Nicole Wilson, Erica Bonthuis and Maria Blad.