Batavia enjoys resurgence

Back in 2004, former Batavia girls gymnastics coach Pam Brandenburg didn't know if the Bulldogs were going to be able to field a varsity team. Things were definitely not good for Batavia back then.

Today, not only are the Bulldogs fielding a varsity team, but they are having success that the program could never have dreamed of just four years ago. Now, the future is bright.

This season Batavia ended St. Charles co-op's run of winning the Tri-Cities meet, set a school record score of 141.55 and recently took top honors in the 24-team Niles West Invitational.

Like the other Batavia winter sports teams, they've shined.

"I couldn't be more proud with the effort and it's a compliment to the great staff that we have here. All four of our winter sports are really excelling," Batavia athletic director Mike Gaspari said. "Wrestling won conference tournament last week, currently the boys and girls (basketball teams) are in first place (in the Western Sun) and gymnastics is having an unprecedented year."

Rachel Besic, Danae Fuqua, Cindy Moran, Alessandra Bronzino, Becca Thona and Allison Moran all know that they have to be at their best the remainder of the way if the Bulldogs want to continue their season.

"It's all about us staying clean," Batavia coach Taryn Boyce said. "We didn't make many mistakes in the (Niles West Invitational) and when you only have one fall out of eight routines it's not going to hurt you too badly."

The way the team has come together this year has been phenomenal, especially with the mix of returnees and newcomers who were former club gymnasts.

"With an influx from club programs I've been impressed with how well they've meshed with the kids that have been in the program," Gaspari said. "No arrogance at all and it's a credit to them with how they've embraced each other and to our coaches. It's not easy to do this without special kids and coaches."

Host with most: Geneva hopes hosting the Independence Conference on Saturday will pay dividends for the team.

"Consistency has really been the name of the game as everyday is new," said senior Katherine Grubaugh. "The injuries are down and I think we're not so worried about us. It won't be nervous being at home and I think we'll have a great meet."

Using their home equipment and having fans on hand certainly should help the Vikings.

"It's so relaxing," Grubaugh said. "We have a confident group to begin with and I think we'll all be good."

Missing in Maple Park:ŒLast year, a still wet-behind-the-ears freshman from Kaneland was competing alongside the Batavia gymnastics team.

Unfortunately, this year Andrea Bruce has not competed as there were some communication issues that weren't resolved and she hasn't performed. Still, Bruce expects to compete next year during her junior campaign.

"We're disappointed that it didn't work out," said her mother, Ellen Bruce. "She's going to try to play soccer and work on her conditioning and then work on her skills for next year."

Don't be surprised if Kaneland is soon one of the top teams in the area either, but the question is more of when they'll have a team.

"The last time I called for a survey was 2005-2006 and there wasn't much interest," Knights athletic director Leigh Jaffke said.

But the Maple Park and Sugar Grove area is growing and Maximum Gymnastics in Sugar Grove is the home to many young gymnasts.

Regardless of the countless conversations, squabbling and disappointments that have already arisen, there's a good chance with the recent success of area gymnastics programs and the growth of the greater community that Kaneland could be fielding a team in the next several years.

She's got skills: Time is running out for Geneva gymnast Cami Pfetzer. She's got some new skills; the only problem is she hasn't been able to use them.

Pfetzer's been working on a toe catch release on bars and an additional tumbling pass punch front on the floor exercise all season but still hasn't worked them into any of the Vikings meets this winter.

"I tried during warm-ups (last Saturday at Riverside-Brookfield) but I didn't do so good so we just kept everything clean," Pfetzer said. "I'm seeing how it goes this week at practice. If I feel confident enough than I think I'll try them at conference (on Saturday)."

Pain in the: Imagine being a high school student who struggles in school, but not because of the academics, but due to the pain you face because simply walking around and sitting during lengthy classroom lectures induces physical pain that's so severe at times that it distracts your concentration.

That's what St. Charles Co-op senior gymnast Katie Shanel has been facing, especially after she aggravated a stress fracture in her back early in January.

"There are times in school where I'm just walking around or sitting and it kills," Shanel said. "But I still know that I have something to work for."

That's what's helped her deal with the pain. During Tuesday's dual meet against Waubonsie Valley, Shanel struggled and was visually upset with herself, but it didn't stop her from being overwhelmed with joy when she found out the team had scored a season-best 145.6.

"I'm so happy for the team and I know what I need to do to improve the rest of the way," she said. "It's hard with my back injury but I need to get things set for the regional."

Shanel will not continue gymnastics in college so she's working extra hard to end her career on a high note. As a captain, the team can only benefit from her contributions, especially after fellow senior Amanda Johnston, a state qualifier last season, has missed the entire season with an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Fortunately for the team, it will host a regional on Feb. 1 and expects to continue to get stellar contributions from Stephanie de la Torriente, Liz Fairweather and Danielle Goebbert. They were fantastic on Tuesday and are prepared, excited and determined about the possibility of making a long postseason run.

"We're so excited," Shanel said.

Bev Horne/bhorne@dailyherald.com

Danielle Goebbert is one of the St. Charles co-op gymnasts with high hopes for the postseason, which starts with regionals next week.