Neuqua just misses second straight invite title
The Neuqua Valley Invite brought out some of the best girls gymnastics performances of the season by a few area schools Saturday.
Although both teams just fell short of winning the title, Neuqua Valley and Waubonsie Valley/Metea Valley co-op both easily surpassed their previous season high while finishing in second and third place, respectively.
Prairie Ridge rejected the Wildcats' bid to win their second consecutive title, finishing with a 142.825, but the Wildcats were a morsel better than Waubonsie Valley/Metea Valley co-op, 142.2-142.15.
Neuqua Valley's previous high was 139 while Waubonsie Valley/Metea Valley co-op's previous best was a 138.4.
Senior Catherine Miller led the Wildcats, placing second on bars and beam, as well as posting the second-highest all-around score of 37.175.
"I think the biggest difference for us was having a real strong start and finish," Miller said. "The vault was amazing. Our lowest score was a 9.05 and that's great to be able to drop it, and floor we just floored it. It was great."
Morgan Knight had the fifth-best all-around total with a 35.8 for the Wildcats. She also placed second on floor with a 9.525 and took fourth on vault. The other key all-arounders for Neuqua Valley were Ashley Nelson with a 34.9 and Bryn Walsh with a 33.55.
"I told them that I think we could get to that 141-142 mark and they did," Neuqua Valley coach Christine Clark said. "And that was with counting a couple falls on beam."
It was all a matter of consistency for Waubonsie Valley/Metea Valley co-op. Jessica Malon led the team with an all-around total of 35.725, Emily Kelly and Maddie Strick posted identical scores of 35.475 and Danielle Christy was right behind them with a 35.325.
"I was so excited, it was awesome," Waubonsie Valley/Metea Valley co-op coach Ashley Abruscato said. "We knew it would be close between Neuqua Valley and we have a friendly rivalry since we share the gym. We'll take it. A 142, that's outstanding for us."
Lake Park found itself in the middle of the pack, but far more impressive than its fifth-place finish was its 135.45 total. The Lancers finished 4 points better than they've even been this season.
Ashley Nelson, whose namesake competed for Neuqua Valley, led Lake Park with an all-around total of 35.275.
The all-around title went to Addison Trail junior Alyssa Cruz. She also won on vault, floor and bars, finishing with an average of 9.4 and a total of 37.6.
"I thought I did really good on every event, even beam where I fell," Cruz said. "I felt really good out there and have just been trying to perfect everything. I've added some new skills here and there but I'm just trying to be consistent."
The all-around title is nothing new to the Blazers. Last year Alyssa Grzegorzewski shared the top honors with Ashley Nelson from Neuqua Valley.