Top three teams at Neuqua post top scores of season
Prairie Ridge co-op appears to be on right path to make a run at defending its state title from a season ago.
The Wolves scored a season-best 148.05, which also was the highest score in the state this season, to win the Neuqua Valley Invite on Saturday afternoon.
"We're still trying to finalize who is going to be going on our squad because we've still got people hurt," Prairie Ridge coach Lee Battaglia said. "Since we're banged up, we don't know our lineup going into regionals so we're just trying to get everyone healthy."
There was little doubt that Nikka Baars and Kira Karlblom were healthy, and their respective scores told the story. The duo finished 1-2 in the all-around with Baars leading the way 37.65 to 37.25 over her teammate.
Baars won vault with a 9.65, bars with a 9.4 and floor with a 9.75. Teammate Maddy Kim won beam with 9.3.
"I thought we did pretty well. There were some little bumps in the road, but nothing too bad," Baars said. "My teammates definitely are putting things together and if we can go out and have a meet like this or better the rest of the season, I think we'll be in good shape."
Alyssa Petko, Clancy Raupp and Macey Woodlock also added key scores to help Prairie Ridge claim the title.
Lake Park registered a season-best 144 to take third place, just behind Lincoln-Way co-op's 144.6, which was also a season high.
"That's actually a little higher than I expected us to go, so we ended up overachieving which is always a good thing for your gymnastics team," Lancers coach Jake Luketin said. "I think we made a good statement here. We know Lincoln-Way is probably a sure bet to win a sectional and we were right there with them."
The Lancers are slowly getting close to full strength and at the perfect time with the state series just a couple of weeks away.
"Our lineup is finally back, but we still don't have all the routines back," Luketin said. "We'll tweak a thing or two here and there and might still get a small boost."
Lake Park's day was loaded with highlights. Kelly Zehnder led the way, placing sixth in the all-around with a 36.25 with a 9.1 on beam and 9.65 on floor. Marissa DiBenedetto had a 9.3 on vault and 9.25 on floor, Julie Kurek earned a 9.0 on beam and 9.2 bars and Danielle Pellegrino scored a 9.05 on beam and 9.55 on floor.
Host Neuqua Valley took fourth place but was well off the pace of the top three teams with a 129.15.
"We were almost at 130, which was our goal for today," Wildcats coach Darragh McDermott said. "We only had one fall on beam so we went our highest there as a team which was awesome. The girls were comfortable using their own equipment and excited to be here."
Olivia Nelson was the lone Wildcat to finish in the Top 10 in any event, tying for sixth on beam with a 9.0. She scored a 33.25 in the all-around.
Waubonsie Valley/Metea Valley co-op was fifth with a 127.3 and Addison Trail was sixth with a 125.85.