Tabbutt finds fulfillment by sharing knowledge

A student of gymnastics since elementary school, Mia Tabbutt grew into a teacher's role, too.

It makes perfect sense for the Capital High School senior, who plans to attend Whitman College in Walla Walla and pursuing a degree in education.

Her senior season of gymnastics was filled with personal accomplishments and self-fulfillment as she became a teacher on the floor to her teammates.

“I’m really proud of everyone else on my team,” said Tabbutt, The Olympian’s all-area gymnast of the year for a second time (2009). “They grew so much. I spent a lot of time helping them, and it makes me really happy.”

Fifteen months after undergoing surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in her knee – and missing her entire junior season – Tabbutt quickly regained her form and had a senior season to remember. In the team’s third meet of the season, she registered a 37.45 in the all-around. She also led Capital to the 2A/3A subdistrict team title by winning the all-around (36.375), and she finished second in the all-around at the district meet (34.35).

At the state gymnastics meet, Tabbutt placed seventh in 2A/3A in the all-around (36.32) and second in the floor exercise (9.675), her favorite event.

“It was fun and exciting,” Tabbutt said. “It was really neat to have it as my last meet. I was glad I placed that high on floor.”

Even though Tabbutt’s high school gymnastics career is finished, she will represent Capital one last time in May. She’s been selected to participate in at the National High School Gymnastics Association Senior Showcase Invitational on May 20-21 in Fort Myers Beach, Fla., and she has already begun training. She spends one or two days a week at Grace Gymnastics Center in Lakewood.

Participating at a high-caliber national meet is not new to Tabbutt. In June 2009, she won the Level 9 junior all-around competition at the YMCA national gymnastics championships in Phoenixville, Pa.

Meg Wochnick: 360-754-5473 mwochnick@theolympian.com Twitter: @OlympianPreps theolympian.com/prepsportsblog