Redmond High junior Akari Matsumoto followed up an impressive performance at the 4A Kingco gymnastics meet with a career-best, gold-medal performance on the bars at last weekend’s Sea-King District District II meet at Sammamish High School.

Matsumoto, a rising star, scored a 9.325 to win the gold medal on the bars and earn a spot to this weekend’s state meet, which begins Friday and concludes Saturday at the Tacoma Dome.

But for club gymnasts like Matsumoto who thrive on tough judging and high expectations, she wasn’t satisfied with her meet-winning performance.

“She never seems that impressed with herself,” said Redmond head coach Jason Farr, adding that he knew Matsumoto had uncorked a gold-medal performance after she completed her routine. “Afterwards she was like ‘that was awful, that wasn’t my best…’ and when she was called up to the podium she just stared at everybody like she couldn’t believe she did it.”

Matsumoto also advanced to state on the vault, scoring a 9.2 despite performing through pain due to a knee surgery last season.

“When she hits that board, it hurts,” Farr noted.

Cristal Spinrad punched a state ticket with an 8.4 on bars, earning her the fifth and final berth, and team co-captain Ally Garcia suffered heartbreak when her 8.975 on the beam was just short of the state cut.

“It was disappointing, but she took it well,” Farr said. “The judging has been a little harder this year, both for club and high school–the kids have had to step it up. Having a club gymnast like Akari in there really makes a difference, she’s about as clean as you can get.”

The longtime gymnastics coach, who has been working with kids at the club and high school levels for more than 20 years, is thrilled with the way the the Mustangs’ program has steadily improved.

Now he is hoping Matsumoto and Spinrad can bring home some state hardware.

“It’s been a while since I’ve been at state,” said Farr, who went as an assistant while he was with Bothell High School several years ago. “Hopefully they can place … that would make them excited for next year and want to come back.”

Class 4A state gymnastics meet

• When: Qualifying on Friday, Feb. 19, 6 p.m.; finals on Saturday, Feb. 20 at 11 a.m.

• Where: Tacoma Dome Exhibition Hall

• Tickets: $14 adults, $10 students and seniors